Trucker-led protests in Canada against coronavirus restrictions shut down another US border crossing on Thursday, as copycat actions grew in popularity around the world and Washington urged Canada to utilize federal authorities to stop the blockades.
The vital Ambassador Bridge connecting Ontario and Detroit has been out of service for several days, forcing major automakers to reduce production at multiple sites as a result of the border closures.
The second crossing in Alberta’s western province has been stopped for days, while protesters shut down the third crossing in central Manitoba on Thursday.
Ford claimed it was forced to cut down production at factories in Canada due to supply difficulties, while several Stellantis manufacturing in the United States and Canada ceased operations Wednesday evening, General Motors cancelled several shifts, and Toyota stated its plants were also affected.
Police in the Canadian capital said Thursday that they were bringing in reinforcements, issuing more arrests and tickets, and ramping up truck towing operations in an effort to break the city’s gridlock.
Protesters, on the other hand, were hunkering in and boasting about how their two-week protest had grown into an international movement.
“You know it’s awful if Canadians are coming out in force,” protester Naomi Gilman remarked, noting that her fellow citizens had mostly remained silent “for two long years” during the Covid limitations.
“So I think that resonates around the world for sure,” she told AFP.
