Avoid counter-protests this weekend, urge seasoned activists and police

Seasoned local activists and the Ottawa Police Service have the same message for anyone whomight want to head downtown this weekend to counter an anti-vaccine mandate protest: don't go.

The "Reclaim Ottawa" protest on Instagram garnered a few thousand followers, but has since called off a demonstration for Saturday citing safety concerns.

Sam Hersh, a Horizon Ottawa board member whohelps organize at least a dozen demonstrations a year in Ottawa,cancelled an event planned for Tuesday.Hershhas rallied on topics such as police funding, the light rail or affordable housing, but says the current situation in Ottawa feels verydifferent.

"These people want confrontation. I'm not saying that for everyone, but a lot of the folks who are leading this are looking for that," said Hersh, who saidhe was threatened forwearing a mask while downtown this week.

He worried evena peaceful protest might end withviolence, and says groups representing Black, Indigenous, or people of colour told him they were concerned too.

"It's crazy to be having this conversation," he said, adding he feels police haven't protected people enough.

If you're frustrated with the situation ... those are all valid feelings. But do not go to the counter-protest.- Regina Bateson, political scientist at the University of Ottawa

Many Ottawa community groups who frequently collaborate on demonstrations metThursday night and decided to find safer ways to channel their message than putting themselves in the fray, said Hersh.

MPP Joel Harden held a town hall Friday night to discuss how to instead offer residentsfood,mental health supports, or make sure people felt safe walking.

Such community walks began in Centretown on Friday. Coun. Jeff Leiper, whojoined, said they purposely held no signs and wanted only to make sure neighbours could look out for one another.

More extreme crowd expected, says prof

Before thecancellations of the Instagram-based protest on Friday, Ottawa police anticipated 1,000 counter-protesters to gather this weekend. Police anticipate about 300 or 400 trucks to arrive in the capital with 2,000 people on foot to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Deputy police chief Steve Bell said he understands residents' frustration and their "need to speak out" but asked them not to hold counter-protests.

"We would like to not have that to be another dynamic we have to manage within the crowd," said Bell.

WATCH| Ottawa police ask residents not to attend weekend counter-protest

Ottawa police ask residents not to attend weekend counter-protest

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Deputy Chief Steve Bell says a counter-protest will add another challenging element for police to manage. Up to 2,000 more protesters and 1,000 counter-protesters are expected downtown over the weekend.

University of Ottawa political scientistRegina Bateson has become increasinglyworriedthis week.

Bateson has studied collective violence all over the continent, and has attended countless sit-ins, blockades, protests and counter-protests. She said the main protest will likely be far riskier and attract a different crowd this weekendthan last, with fewer families and residentsconcerned about vaccine mandates.

"People who are more extreme, people who are more willing to take risks, maybe have more ties to related right-wing and white-supremacist movementshave had more time to come now", she said.

In other protests that have seen injuries, conflicts often happenedwhen two sides are allowed to come into close proximity ofone another, warned Bateson.

"Do not go," she urged any resident wanting to counter-protest.

"If you're frustrated with the situation, if you're feeling aggrieved, if you're unhappy with the way police have handled it up until now, those are all valid feelings. But do not go to the counter-protest."