The Canada Border Services Agency announced that the Ambassador Bridge was cleared of Freedom Convoy protesters by Canadian police on Sunday evening.
There were 20 to 30 arrests reported on the bridge in Windsor, Ontario.
Truckers had been blockading the bridge in protest of a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for drivers traveling between the US and Canada.
The Ambassador Bridge is now open. There is no eastbound or westbound access onto Huron Church Rd. from the expressway to Wyandotte. Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/8rQABSQVoj
— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 14, 2022
“The blockade had choked the supply chain for Detroit’s carmakers, forcing Ford Motor Co (F.N), the second-largest U.S. automaker, General Motors Co (GM.N) and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) to cut production,” Reuters reports. “The bridge carries about $360 million a day in two-way cargoes – 25% of the value of all U.S.-Canada goods trade.”
It is estimated that the blockades, which were taking place at three border checkpoints, could cost the auto industry up to $850 million.
On Sunday, over 50 police vehicles, including an armored car, arrived at the bridge following threats of “zero tolerance” from law enforcement.
Unreal scenes in Canada as heavily armed forces move in to make arrests and tow all vehicles from ambassador bridge. pic.twitter.com/zwI6Oa2ufR
— Wittgenstein (@backtolife_2022) February 13, 2022
Protestor tackled at Ambassador Bridge. Sign must have been a collage of all the police officers moms naked. Just kidding, it likely said “I Love Canada”
This force was clearly unnecessary.
I mean if it’s a numbers game they have already lost. pic.twitter.com/w538wHeYrO
— bu/ac (@buperac) February 13, 2022
Earlier in the evening, the Windsor Police tweeted “that enforcement is continuing in the demonstration area and there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity. The public should avoid the area.”
We would like to remind the public that enforcement is continuing in the demonstration area and there will be zero tolerance for illegal activity. The public should avoid the area.
— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 14, 2022
“Strangling bilateral trade, protests have spread to three border points, including in Alberta and Manitoba. Canadian police have said the protests have been partly funded by U.S. supporters, and Ontario froze funds donated via one U.S. platform GiveSendGo on Thursday,” the Reuters report added.
Windsor City Mayor Drew Dilkens tweeted, “Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.”
Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination. https://t.co/Zmtd1cBQXZ pic.twitter.com/XQsnTbxxGN
— Drew Dilkens (@drewdilkens) February 13, 2022
Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency last week over the protest.
