Ottawa police arrest 7, tow vehicles on Day 1 of weekend rally

Ottawa police say they have made seven arrests and towed 24 vehiclesin downtown Ottawaon the first day of thisweekend's Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally.

The Ottawa Police Service tweeted early Saturday about the towing and arrests, which involved "various charges, including assaulting police."

The tweets said there were no reported injuries and "police remain in full control of city streets."

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, the police service tweeted about a large crowd on Rideau Street and asked people toavoid the area.

Twenty minutes later, police said they were dealing with aggressive people there and that more officers were being sent to help manage the situation.

Kitchissippiward Coun. Jeff Leipertweeted a video showing police officers watching a large crowd amassin front of the Rideau Centre.

"We are asking that people remain peaceful and follow police directions as they work to clear the area," policetweeted at about 8 p.m.

Police alsotweeted that "due to an escalation of crowd aggression" at the intersection of Rideau and Sussex Streets,some officers would be deployed wearinghelmets and shields.

The City of Ottawa brought in tight restrictions in anticipation of this weekend's protest to avoid a repeat of the anti-mandate convoy's occupation that paralyzed the downtown core for several weeks earlier this year.

Participants in the Rolling Thunder Rally arrived earlier in the evening on Parliament Hill. It was the first of several scheduled events this weekend, which organizers say are abouthonouring veterans who fought for freedom.

Earlier in the week, Rolling Thunder Ottawa said in a statement that its members do not support efforts to obstruct police.

Warnings that vehicles would be towed

Police had warned for days that any vehicles associated with the rally that made their way onto certaindowntown streets would be removed.

A tow truck was used to remove a vehicleon Rideau Street Friday night amid cries of "Freedom!" from the crowd.

Warning: thevideo below contains offensive language.

Police moved the crowd west past the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, back toward Parliament Hill.

Some demonstratorslet off fireworks and drank openly in publicacts police said there would be zero tolerance for during the weekend.

By 10 p.m., the crowd had thinned out and police tweeted they had divertedseveral vehicles trying to occupy a downtown parking lot.

Awreath-laying ceremonyat the National War Memorial tied to the event is planned for Saturday morning.

A spokesperson for the Royal CanadianLegionsaid she hoped participants proceed"respectfully and in the spirit of remembrance."