Screams as car driven at police advancing on occupation crowd

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

A person was arrested after a car was driven at police and protesters during a dawn operation at the Parliament occupation.

There were volatile scenes at the Parliament occupation when a car sped up Molesworth St behind police before braking at the last minute, coming close to hitting the officers trying to contain the protesters.

There were shouts and screams from the crowd as officers tried smashing the window to pull the driver out and apprehend them. Another officer entered through the passenger side and unlocked the driver’s door.

The driver was arrested.

About 200 police took part in the early-morning operation to advance the concrete barriers installed on Monday.

Police extract the driver of a white car, who drove it towards the rear of their line facing off with protesters on the fringe of the Parliament occupation.

* Over 100 arrests in Ottawa as police crack down on the 'Freedom Convoy'

A police officer is treated by medics after a clash with protesters

Police said in a statement officers were equipped with shields, in order to protect themselves from objects being thrown, such as human waste.

At least three officers required medical attention after being sprayed with an unknown substance by protesters, the statement said.

A member of protest security later called the claims of substances being thrown at police 'fake news', but said it was a protester who drove a car at the crowd.

The man, who gave his name as Mike, said the allegation that some kind of substance was thrown onto cops by protesters was 'fake new from the cops who are trying to make up stories so they can beat us up.'

Stuff has video of police pouring liquid into the eyes of another officer to get something off.

'They're saying that we were assaulting them, but in actual fact they were using their riot shields to beat up on us when we were trying to hold the line.

'They were being rough trying to show the media they're tough.'

He said the white car driven into the back of the police line was a protester.

'That was one of our guys trying to scare the police off, but it didn't work - they dragged him away and towed his car away.

'It wasn't a good idea, they all know the kaupapa because we had a meeting yesterday, that states that we need to be a peaceful protest and not do that kind of thing … We can't control everyone we are just trying to keep the peace.'