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2022-02-08 Great White North
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Ambassador Bridge between Detroit & Windsor closed due to COVID protest
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[DetroitNews] A protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Canada spread across the border Monday, sparking traffic delays as a convoy lined up on the Ambassador Bridge for hours, the first sign demonstrations could affect the United States.
| He estimated the mandates left 30-50% of truckers on the U.S. ineligible to cross. |
The bridge to Canada in Detroit eventually shut down by nightfall, the Michigan Department of Transportation tweeted at 8:50 p.m.
The backups at what is touted as the nation's busiest international border crossing sparked concern among transportation leaders about the impact amid COVID-led supply chain and staffing shortages on Michigan businesses relying on transported goods.
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"Any delay or disruption in the supply chain creates problems, not just for agriculture but the state economy," said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, which represents businesses that support farmers.
The protest follows rallies over opposition to vaccine mandates and other restrictions in cities across Canada in a show of solidarity with a demonstration in Ottawa that has gone on for more than a week by the so-called Freedom Truck Convoy. The protests paralyzed the Canadian capital's business district and led the mayor to call for 2,000 extra police officers to quell the nightly demonstrations.
Protesters have said they will not leave until all vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. They also called for the removal of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, though it is responsible for few of the restrictive measures, most of which were put in place by provincial governments.
Last month, Canada started to turn away unvaccinated U.S. truckers at the border. The United States has imposed the same requirement on truckers entering that country.
The first trucks in a convoy organized to protest the vaccination measures arrived in Ottawa on Jan. 28.
| "We are very concerned frankly that these policies are threatening international trade and commerce with our No. 1 partner," he said. "We urge governments on both sides to rethink some common sense exemptions." |
Protesters have drawn support from those including extremists waving offensive signs, the Windsor Star reported. Demonstrators issued a statement saying they had a right to peacefully assemble and protest.
“We have witnessed peaceful demonstration and observed multiple acts of humanity, which define what it means to be Canadian,” read the statement, signed by multiple groups and individuals, including Randy Hillier, an independent Member of Provincial Parliament.
Soon after the disruption started Monday at the Ambassador Bridge, the Canada Border Services Agency, Southern Ontario Region, said travelers should reroute to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or Blue Water Bridge.
"CBSA ports of entry are secure controlled areas that must not be accessed by anyone not in the process of crossing the border. It is an offence under the Customs Act to hinder the ability of a border services officers while they conduct their work," Gadbois-St–Cyr said.
The Michigan Department of Transportation reported on Twitter late Monday that the bridge had closed, but the Canada Border Services Agency said the span was "experiencing a service disruption."
Huron remained closed to traffic past 8 p.m. Monday between College and Tecumseh, Windsor police posted. "We urge those involved not to endanger members of the public, jeopardize public peace or participate in illegal events. Those found committing crimes will be investigated & charged."
A protest against vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions in Canada has spread across the border and is leading to traffic delays at the Ambassador Bridge on Monday.
The protests follow a shift for truckers in an industry already facing fewer drivers during the pandemic, Lippstreu said.
He estimated the mandates left 30-50% of truckers on the U.S. ineligible to cross.
"We are very concerned frankly that these policies are threatening international trade and commerce with our No. 1 partner," he said. "We urge governments on both sides to rethink some common sense exemptions."
A late January poll by the Angus Reid Institute, a research firm in Vancouver, found 54% of Canadians want to end restrictions and let people self-isolate if they’re at risk. That was up 14 percentage points from just a few weeks earlier. 
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Posted by Bubba Lover of the Faeries8843 2022-02-08 00:00||
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