Thread by @poli_sci_guy

The Ottawa People’s Commission on the Convoy Occupation (@ottpeoplescomm) today released Part 1 of its final report.

Included are testimonies of many residents, and it's clear that this was a violent occupation in which the people of downtown #Ottawa were abandoned.

(A thread)

The so-called #FreedomConvoy negatively impacted community organizations offering essential services, businesses like pharmacies and restaurants, churches, schooling, daycares, emergency services, and programs to help the homeless. Many women experienced sexual harassment.

It’s also very sad how many residents – including me – have been gaslighted and mocked for their experiences.

Here are some notable quotes from the report, which is available here: opc-cpo.ca

Sheldon Kiishkens Ross McGregor, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation: “There was so much hate and violence on display. It was upsetting for our elders to see such disrespect for our ceremonies and for the protocols that are to be followed in our territory.”

Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition: “They were entitled to rights that we do not have as Indigenous people. They were allowed to ... have their children in unsafe environments (there are many Indigenous children in much safer environments that have been apprehended by child welfare)…”

Portia: “They had decorated ... with signs everywhere comparing themselves to the Holocaust and its victims. Paper stars of David and fabric ones attached to clothes were littered everywhere. Seeing them compare themselves to my grandfather and our family just infuriated me.”

Amy: “The occupiers are domestic terrorists. But because they are Angry White Men, they are allowed to have the run of our city, immune to the laws and policing that is always so judiciously (and often viciously) doled out on more vulnerable members of our community.”

Justin: “On my way to Bank Street, three protestors stopped me on the sidewalk and requested that I “do the dragon dance”. I did not comply, prompting them to verbally issue me the options of either dancing or being beaten. ...

... When I tried to force myself past, I instead had to endure an assault that included blunt objects (I think one was a bat and one might have been a pipe) to a background of honks and cheers from bystanders.”

Audrey: “My home became dangerous for my breathing along with a nauseating smell of burning rubber along with the incessant blaring of air horns. It affected all aspects of living: sleeping, eating, reading, working, hearing, thinking, conversation… only fear thrived.”

Mat: “The police stood idly by and did nothing, so the first night I went out to protest alone on the Hill. A group of police officers came up to me and said, quote ‘we know you’re up here trying to speak your mind against all this, but if you stay here any longer...

...we can’t guarantee your safety’. … They casually stood at the corner watching everything happen, and in some cases took photos with the convoy protesters. This blew my mind.”

Judy: “The invaders ... were in the shops, unmasked at a time when we were asked to be masked, loudly harassing shoppers who wore masks. Management when approached said they were helpless to do anything as police were not responding to their calls.”

Cliff: “I, myself, a disabled senior had a bullhorn pointed in my face and had negative comments yelled at me about wearing a face mask and taking vaccines.”

Ro: “During the Freedom Convoy, disabled people were left without access to food, medical appointments, and services that they would normally access. This is unacceptable and can never happen again.”

Reporter Evan Solomon: “I was spat at on January 29th. Someone tossed a frozen full beer can at me as I was reporting. … I have never had to use a security guard in my life in Canada in 30 years of reporting.”

Much more is available in the report. Thank you for reading. The convoy occupation was a terrible experience that I would not wish on anyone. It hurts to bring this all up again, but it's important that everyone can tell their story.

drive.google.com/uc?export=down…

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