An Ontario Superior Court judge has granted an injunction aimed at ending a blockade by protesters at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor that has tied up cross-border traffic for the past five days.
The ruling, handed down on Friday by Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz went into effect at 7 p.m. ET, according to CBC Canada.
A copy of the order was not immediately available. Morawetz also said Friday he’ll provide written reasons for his decision early next week.
The ruling comes as border cities, including Coutts, Alberta, and Sarnia, Ontario, have been dealing with protesters at international crossings for days. The protests at the Ambassador Bridge began on Monday.
The order could lead to police in the city of Windsor, Ontario, clearing truckers who have crowded dozens of vehicles near the Ambassador Bridge, North America’s busiest land border crossing, and a choke point for Detroit’s carmakers.
The injunction decision also comes the same day Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a provincial state of emergency that could result in harsh penalties for protesters who cause major disruptions.
Mike Wills, the lawyer for the auto groups that filed for the injunction and the City of Windsor, one of the interveners, said while one lane may have been opened by protesters, it “will not matter” because it may “be closed as quickly as it can be opened” due to the actions of those behind the blockade.
At the bridge, reports the Associated Press, the Windsor police warned that anyone blocking the streets after 7 p.m. could be subject to arrest and their vehicles seized.
However, a protester who would not provide his name – grabbed a microphone and addressed the crowd. He asked the protesters if they wanted to stay when 7 p.m. rolled around or leave. By a show of applause, it was agreed they would stay. “OK,”’ the man said. “Let’s stand tall.”
The crowd responded by singing the Canadian national anthem and chanting “freedom.”
Reuters is reporting that the protests have inspired similar convoys and plans in France, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, whose Department of Homeland Security is working to ensure that a “Freedom Convoy” event due in early March in Washington, D.C., “does not disrupt lawful trade.”
