The blockade at the U.S.-Canada border was beginning to dissolve on Saturday, but some protesters still remain after police moved in to try to remove the vaccine mandate protesters, AP reports.
Why it matters: The police intervention was the strongest escalation by authorities after truckers, farmers and other protesters have blocked roads and portions of the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing for days, cutting off key delivery routes and leading factories to shut down.
The latest: Police cleared most of the demonstrators away from the Ambassador Bridge on Saturday morning, while about a dozen vehicles remained, according to the New York Times.
- Local residents on foot — and some pickup trucks and cars — also blocked two intersections leading to the bridge on Saturday afternoon, per the Times.
- "WPS along with policing partners continue to engage with demonstrators for the purpose of enforcement," Windsor Police wrote in a tweet.
- "No arrests at this time. We appreciate the cooperation of the demonstrators at this time and we will continue to focus on resolving the demonstration peacefully. Avoid area!"
Catch up quick: Windsor Police began enforcing demonstrations at and near the Ambassador Bridge on Saturday morning.
- "We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully & peacefully. Commuters are still being asked to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations at this time," Windsor Police wrote on Twitter on Saturday morning.
State of play: Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to the protests.
- Ford also said that he will convene the executive council of Ontario "to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure."
Go deeper:
- Canadian judge grants order allowing removal of protesters blocking border bridge
- Vaccine mandate protesters block main border crossing in Manitoba
Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
