Street in front of Government Hill was closed after 2022 convoy protest

Police have been called to Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill on the first day of its reopening after a protest broke out.

Soon after Friday afternoon’s reopening, numerous people could be seen leaving chalk markings on the street. By early evening, at least five cars bearing signs and flags related with the 2022 truck convoy protest could be seen circling the region.

Some activists were also wandering into the street, waving flags and yelling.

“Many people now are not just protesting about all the mandates and all the vaccines,” said Danny Boucher, who was driving his truck down Wellington in a show of support.

“They’re talking about their wages, the prices of food. Everybody’s starving and having a hard time.”

Several travellers who showed up told CBC they were mainly unconcerned, even though some were bewildered by the scenes and said they didn’t know everything about the group demonstrations.

Police keep close watch

At least half a dozen Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) cars were on the scene as of 7 p.m., along with about a dozen officers on foot patrol.

Ottawa police were also on scene.

The road had previously been taken over by cars and protesters during the convoy protest, which lasted from the end of January 2022 until the Family Day long weekend the following month.

It was obstructed soon afterwards but reopened Friday afternoon to motorised traffic.

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Neither Ottawa police nor the PPS had details to offer when reached Friday evening.

As of 9 p.m., Wellington Street remained open.