October 30, 2024
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US House Representative to Introduce Bill Offering Asylum to Canadian Truckers

Police arrest a demonstrator against Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on February 18, 2022. - Canadian police on Thursday began a massive operation to clear the trucker-led protests against Covid health rules clogging the capital for three weeks, with several arrests made. (Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images)

The Epoch Times | by Jack Phillips | February 20, 2022

Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) said she is introducing a bill that would grant temporary asylum to individuals involved in the Canadian trucker protests.

“Just as we provide asylum for political prisoners, we should do the same for truckers who have been subjected to violence, had their property confiscated, and their bank accounts frozen by a government that is quickly becoming the embarrassment of the free world,” Herrell said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday.

Close to 200 protesters have been arrested in Ottawa since Feb. 18, according to police. However, there have been concerns, especially from Canada’s Conservative Party, that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is flirting with tyranny in how the protests are being dealt with.

“I am introducing legislation that would temporarily grant asylum to innocent Canadian protesters who are being persecuted by their own government. We cannot be silent as our neighbors to the north are treated so badly,” Herrell added.

Last week, Trudeau became the first Canadian prime minister to invoke the Emergencies Act, giving the government additional powers to curb protesting and blockades. In a Twitter post, Trudeau claimed the truckers were carrying out “illegal blockades and occupations,” which are “a threat to jobs and communities, and they cannot continue.”

A police officer smashes a truck window as they deploy to remove protesters on February 19, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada. – Police in Canada deployed to dislodge the final truckers and protesters from downtown Ottawa, aimed at bringing an end to three weeks of demonstrations over Covid-19 health rules. Ottawa police, who pledged the operation would push ahead “until residents and citizens have their city back,” were still working to clear the capital’s streets. (Photo by Dave Chan / AFP) (Photo by DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19: Police face off with demonstrators participating in a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on Wellington St. on February 19, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. The drivers have used vehicles to form a blockade that has blocked several streets near Parliament Hill. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act in an attempt to try to put an end to the demonstration that has nearly paralyzed a portion of downtown Ottawa for three weeks. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)

Starting on Feb. 18, in Ottawa, police were seen advancing on protesters, knocking down some people. Some police officers were heavily armed, including with assault rifles. Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 19 after being arrested on the charge of counseling to commit mischief.

Fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber, who was also arrested, appeared before a court in Ottawa on Feb. 18. The presiding judge released Barber on a $100,000 bond and on condition that he leave Ontario and not publicly endorse the Freedom Convoy or have contact with the other major protest organizers.

Inside the United States, some officials said they are concerned that similar protests might occur in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Capitol Police said that they were aware of plans for truck convoys to arrive in D.C. on the week that President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union Address.

“Law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region are aware of plans for a series of truck convoys arriving in Washington, DC around the time of the State of the Union. As with any demonstration, the USCP will facilitate lawful First Amendment activity,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

Limin Zhou contributed to this report.

Source: US House Representative to Introduce Bill Offering Asylum to Canadian Truckers (theepochtimes.com)

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