Tens of thousands of people celebrating the country, and protesting against COVID mandates and restrictions, converged in Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations..The events of Friday remained overwhelmingly peaceful, with Canadians of all walks of life marching through the city's streets, waving Canadian flags, and conversing with one another. After two years of official Canada Day events being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many were jubilant to be able to celebrate the day in-person..Ottawa residents had been fearful of another vehicle occupation similar to February's Freedom Convoy protests, which led the Ottawa Police Service to take strict action. Law enforcement successfully prevented any convoys of vehicles from occupying the city, thanks to their heavy presence and the return of the motor vehicle exclusion zone, first seen during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally held back in May. .According to Ottawa By-law, 327 parking tickets were given out and 91 vehicles were towed since Wednesday morning. .The official Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats, located a few km west of Parliament Hill, were attended by thousands of people over the course of the day. Participants were treated to Canadian cuisine and live music from Canadian bands..Governor General Mary May Simon, Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family attended the celebration. Rodriguez told the crowd that Canada Day is about "how you shine by being true to who you are, and how you serve, and inspire us, family, friends, and community.".He added that there "aren't two categories of Canadians," because "a Canadian, is a Canadian, is a Canadian.".Trudeau told the crowd that Canada is about people who are "constantly fighting for something, instead of against something.".In a veiled reference to Canadian Armed Forces Veteran James Topp, who on Thursday completed his 4,300 km march across Canada to protest vaccine mandates, Trudeau said "when Terry Fox ran across the country, he was fighting to better other people's lives.".The prime minister added that the Canadian flag represents the values of respect, hope, and kindness..Security was tight on Parliament Hill, with Parliamentary Protective Services officers checking bags and used handheld metal detectors to screen people. Alcohol, drones, speakers, tables, "large items" and tents were not allowed onto the hill. Canadian flags were allowed, but only if they were not affixed to large objects like hockey sticks or poles..Most of the Freedom protestors chose to gather on Wellington Street in front of Parliament. Similar to previous events they have held on Parliament Hill, the protestors conversed with one another, waved Canadian flags and signs, and belted out songs with lyrics about liberty and perseverance..Several protestors also painted 'Free Tamara' and 'Free Pat King' on the road in front of the Centre Block. One of the artists received a $1,130 fine from By-law officers..Tamara Lich and King were both organizers for the original Freedom Convoy protest. King has been in jail for more than 100 days, while Lich was recently re-arrested for breaching her bail conditions..In the early afternoon, Ottawa By-law also shut down a table where a few women were handing out anti-Trudeau badges. Setting up permanent structures, like tents, speakers, and tables, was not allowed on Parliament Hill..At 3:30 p.m., a crowd of more than 1,000 participated in a 4 km Freedom March through the downtown core. The march was organized by Freedom Fighters Canada, an anti-mandate group which has held several marches across Ontario, including one during the Rolling Thunder rally..Under the close watch of police officers, the crowd marched west on Wellington Street, down Bank Street, east on Gladstone Avenue, and back up Elgin Street towards the National War Memorial..While on their march, the crowd chanted, 'Trudeau has got to go,' 'Free Tamara Lich,' and 'We love Ottawa.' .Similar to the Freedom March that followed the Rolling Thunder march, several Ottawa residents expressed their displeasure with the marchers. One man told the group they were "Nazis" that should "go back to Alabama," while one woman threw water balloons from her balcony..Several of the Freedom protestors original plans for Canada Day could not be carried out. Freelance reporter Andy Lee had envisioned a mass-camp out on the lawn in front of the Supreme Court, but fencing had been installed to prevent them entry..Anti-mandate group “Police On Guard For Thee” planned to have a family-friendly picnic at Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill, but organizers decided to cancel the event. Instead, People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and several candidates gathered and gave speeches..After the protestors returned from their Freedom March, By-law officers also tried to shut down their speakers and prevent speeches, which led to a tense situation in front of Parliament Hill..That situation was eventually peacefully resolved, and several guest speakers were allowed to address the crowd of hundreds. Lee, who helped to organize the Freedom events, said the protestors should never back down because they have a cause "worth fighting for."."When I say fighting, I mean not with our fists, but with our speeches and words," Lee said. "To echo James Topp's call from yesterday, hate is never the way forward. We must be better than the people who govern us."
