File photo of trucks around Coutts on Saturday, January 20 2022. (Photo supplied by Jake Zacharias)

By Canadian Press

Mounties Escorting Vehicles

RCMP say some progress made in managing Coutts border blockade

Feb 3, 2022 | 9:21 AM

COUTTS, AB – Protesters using their trucks to clog up the main United States border crossing in southern Alberta agreed Wednesday to make some room to allow traffic through.

Mounties were taking a cautious wait-and-see approach to the partial pullback as the ongoing blockade in Coutts continues. Chad Williamson, a lawyer representing the demonstrators, says they finally feel like their message has been heard.

Late Wednesday night, RCMP said travel was still impeded but some progress has been made in reopening Highway 4 from Milk River to the border, noting that Mounties are escorting vehicles.

Demonstrators began parking their trucks near the crossing Saturday in solidarity with similar events in Ottawa and countrywide to protest COVID-19 health measures.

Officials with the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police and Alberta Sheriffs note that over the past week, many Albertans have seen demonstrations take place on their roadways and in their communities, adding that some Albertans have participated in these protests, convoys and blockades.

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“As these events have unfolded, all of Alberta’s police services have worked together to ensure public safety has been balanced with the right to protest legally and peacefully,” reads a statement from the organization.

“Public safety has been our priority, and it will continue to be as we move forward. If necessary, however, we will take enforcement actions at events like these, responding accordingly to the risks to public safety,” the statement continues.

“Our services are working together, and sharing information and resources, just as we do each and every day. Albertans can feel confident that their respective police services will maintain peace and security across this province – together.”

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley issued the following statement in regard to developments concerning the illegal blockade of the Coutts border crossing:

“The fringe group that has illegally taken Alberta’s primary U.S. border crossing — and our broader economy for that matter — hostage for the past five days now believes they are pushing the government to remove public health orders that have reduced the spread of COVID-19 and saved countless lives during the worst public health crisis we have ever faced.

“The people conducting this illegal action claim they are in direct contact with members of the UCP Government Caucus and are being offered the removal of public health orders in exchange for reopening the border. The potential precedent being set here is deeply troubling and must be immediately disavowed by every elected member of the UCP Government.

“Furthermore, we need the Premier to immediately address the people of Alberta to confirm that public health orders will only be removed on the advice of public health officials and that there will be no political interference in this critical decision.

“It is horrifying that any member of Government Caucus would think the public health of Albertans could be used as a bargaining chip to negotiate with people engaged in illegal activities. The Premier must commit that this will never happen and that he will remove any of his Caucus members that believe it should.

“Alberta, and all of Canada, has suffered tremendous economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. This Government’s mishandling of this border blockade threatens to make those problems much worse. Albertans deserve a government that will put families, their health and their economic security first.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)