A Walk through Ottawa
The Ottawa Trucker’s protest has been looming large in Canada. I know many people that have been there and who have supported the effort, but I have also been hearing many conflicting stories about it. Not just from media, but also different impressions from people I know well. Many are asking me if we should support it. I find it difficult to make up my mind without seeing these things myself.
On Wednesday, February 9th, a day finally came on which I did not have other commitments, and I decided to jump at the opportunity to go. Ottawa is only about 3.5 hours from our place, and I decided to take my two teenage sons along. It seems like a historic moment worth seeing, and the boys have some extra energy. On the way there we talked about many things, and thought about some questions. What would it be like? When is it right to protest? Is it right to block streets or mislead police officers by carrying an empty gas can? Who is at fault for the current divisions in Canada? Who should we align ourselves with? How far will we have to walk today? I was curious to hear what they were thinking, but I am not sure I offered the clearest or most satisfying answers to questions.
To prepare for this day, I have been intentionally reading local Ottawa news sites, and some of the comments on their articles. I wanted to try to get a bit of an impression of how people of Ottawa think about this protest. On the way into town, we found a local AM talk radio station, which was clearly not in favor. It seems there is a lot of unhappiness with the protest in the media, but some voices of support also chiming in as well. Some have opened their homes. After almost two weeks, however, others want the truckers to go home. The main themes seemed to be the cost of policing being millions of dollars per day, the many days they had to live with the deafening din of air horns, disruptions to emergency vehicles and traffic, and negative impacts on small businesses. No one seemed to be talking anymore about how this protest might be a COVID spreader.
For those that do not know, the situation has been very dynamic the past few days. Hundreds of truckers are still dug in. The city and police have tried threatening arrest for various actions. Stay much longer? Massive fines. Leave now? Free pass. Honk your horn? You might get arrested. Carry in gas? You might get arrested. Carry in groceries? You might get arrested. Children in your truck? We just might have to take those away. The Children’s Aid Society has even been in the news regarding concerns about the protestor’s children. Some Ottawa citizens have started massive lawsuits.
Most of these tactics seem to have had the opposite of their intended effect. I think the problem is that this is a working man’s protest. These guys run their own businesses. They build stuff. They fix stuff. They are street smart. They have driven millions of miles. They are led by a team of experienced truckers, fierce moms, and senior ex-cops who refused to be vaccinated. The police seem to have forgotten are not dealing with a bunch of paid-protestor millennials that otherwise play video games or Tweet. The rules are all different. There is not a single broken window* or defaced statue, or even a stolen sandwich, just a chain of alternating alarming then amusing events.
First, the government moved slowly, refused to listen, and did not seem to take the protests seriously. The truckers were pretty clear that their plan was to stay until they were heard. Yet the government was not ready for thousands of vehicles that had been cheered on by millions. They had to listen to honking for much longer than they hoped. The truckers know about Gideon and Jericho. They know it sends a message to honk hundreds of air horns for over a week. They know it is intimidating. They know that their noise was proportional to government's silence. They know the simple idea of making noise in Ottawa captured the hearts of millions of Canadians.
I have some sympathy for some residents of Ottawa, for certain, and I do not agree with all of the truckers methods or messages. The truckers say they were quiet at night, and tried to be somewhat reasonable. Now they are very quiet. Concessions have been made.
Then the establishment took the millions in the Go-Fund-Me account, and called the truckers terrorists. Now there is Give-Send-Go that has amassed even more. Government tried to call in the towing companies, but the towing companies refuse to tow trucks. There is even a new tongue twister going around: “How many tow trucks could Trudeau tow if the tow trucks won’t tow trucks?”
The tightening rules on honking and protesting were a double-edged sword which the government managed to fall on. First, the protest's organization, cleanliness, and silence ended up looking quite reasonable. Second, there was the forceful arrest on video of a belligerent, but tiny and frail 78-year-old retired Ottawa high-school janitor. For honking the horn of his minivan. Those optics were about as bad as they could be. How many thousands of Ottawa people knew that plucky little janitor? One could hardly make up a worse public relations disaster if they tried.
Then the police seized many gas cans from a camp while a court order prohibited bringing in more gas on pain of arrest. I am sure it seemed logical to them. But this did not endear them to the truckers or a swath of the public who cried foul. I am told a judge ordered the gas and diesel returned. The truckers don't care about the kindly judge or propitiation. They do not care because it all worked in their favor. Ottawa became a beehive of people from every walk of life carrying gas cans full of water, kool-aid, or nothing. Or maybe gas? Apparently a few were arrested, while hundreds got through. When I was there, most fuel tanks were brimming.
The problem with government tactics is that they keep on blowing up in their faces. It has snowballed into inspiration, generosity, creativity, and mischievousness. Even cautious and polite Canadians began to realize that there were low-risk ways to protest inside a fine line. They could simply fly a Canadian flag. They could write a slogan on an empty gas can, and legally carry it around the city. Many felt they could bring food in good conscience. Church-going young people have set up massive free feeding stations. Others pay truckers directly to stay in town, or pay for their hotel rooms. It is hard to describe what is happening in Ottawa.
The government, thus far, looks like a clumsy kid playing whack-a-mole at a fun fair. Even though some of us try not to disrespect government or the law, it is getting very hard for proper people not to at least chuckle. The holes and the moles keep multiplying. Thus far, the truckers are winning. Especially with a growing percentage of the public. This was the scene we drove into.
Once again, I find much that the media says bears false witness. I do not think I will surprise most readers if I tell you that the Ottawa protest is quite peaceful, and not all that disruptive to the city at this point on a workday. Anyone who says otherwise might eat broccoli for breakfast and probably has 911 on speed-dial. Or their ears are still ringing from the honking, I can understand that aggravation. It would probably color my view if I lived there.
On this day, the city is clean, peaceful, and functioning. I did not hear a single honk. Almost all of the east-west streets were passable, most of them wide open. Many of the north-south streets had a lane open on one side. Constructions crews and delivery vans were going about their business. Most businesses seemed to be up and running like normal. Streets are completely clear for many blocks around the hospitals. I had no problem getting into the downtown core mid-morning, and no problem finding parking in a garage a couple blocks from parliament hill. Partly because the horns are no longer honking, it is really hard to imagine what Ottawa’s complaint is. This is no state of emergency by any stretch of the imagination, it is a state of annoyance. Now that there has been some compliance, calling it a state of emergency is an insult to real emergencies. People are starting to wise up to that pattern.
We started on the west side, and moved to the east. For those worried about white supremacy, I suppose that is a matter of perspective. I saw no actual evidences, unless you count white men wearing camouflage. I am one of them, and I am not a white supremacist. In reality, there were people from every background, all chatting with one another. I saw quite a noticeable presence of Native Canadians, identifiable by their flags, signs, or symbols supporting the protest.
It is hard to find much fault with the main stretch of the protest. It is peaceful, and has an overwhelmingly positive feel. Street hockey and bouncy castles, and some vehicles to look at. There are families with children, and older folks. There are women and men. Well-dressed professionals, clean-cut youths, people who look homeless, recent immigrants, truckers, and farmers helping out. There are people from every walk of life. Speeches are about turning the other cheek, and not giving up, and dreams about change. They are convinced they are changing the world through resolve and kindness, and standing up for others.
It is ironic that downtown Ottawa currently looks like a communist’s utopian dream. Everything is free on this weekday. Except it is hard earned, and it is being shared willingly instead of by decree. I was offered free coffee, free burgers, cookies, roast beef sandwiches, and free deluxe pizza that looked like it was made by gourmet chefs. I saw a man walking down the street with an open wallet and handing out wads of cash to the food stations and truckers. Who needs GoFundMe, or even GiveSendGo? I saw some truckers even turning down offers of gas and diesel, and others who could use a little. For those that are worried about the homeless, I can reassure you that Ottawa’s homeless are currently eating like kings and queens. They have found hundreds of new friends, and some even accommodations. I am repeatedly told that no truckers ever took food from the homeless shelter. They brought their own food, they were well prepared, many of them bringing enough for the long haul in their own vehicles. They are feeding others, and others are feeding them.
On quite a few accounts, my own views align closer with these guys than with the ivory towers. I don't mind being their neighbor at all. I see much of what they see, but I also see how easily I myself can get the wrong enemy in my sights. How easy it is to turn to the wrong devices, or latch on to the wrong leaders. That battle lines are not nearly as clear as some of us would like to think. There are some very dark characters lurking around corners, and they may not be who you think. Probably the most dangerous here are the false teachers who ply the aisles.
“...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:12–13
On Wednesday, February 9th, a day finally came on which I did not have other commitments, and I decided to jump at the opportunity to go. Ottawa is only about 3.5 hours from our place, and I decided to take my two teenage sons along. It seems like a historic moment worth seeing, and the boys have some extra energy. On the way there we talked about many things, and thought about some questions. What would it be like? When is it right to protest? Is it right to block streets or mislead police officers by carrying an empty gas can? Who is at fault for the current divisions in Canada? Who should we align ourselves with? How far will we have to walk today? I was curious to hear what they were thinking, but I am not sure I offered the clearest or most satisfying answers to questions.
The Context of the Protest
To prepare for this day, I have been intentionally reading local Ottawa news sites, and some of the comments on their articles. I wanted to try to get a bit of an impression of how people of Ottawa think about this protest. On the way into town, we found a local AM talk radio station, which was clearly not in favor. It seems there is a lot of unhappiness with the protest in the media, but some voices of support also chiming in as well. Some have opened their homes. After almost two weeks, however, others want the truckers to go home. The main themes seemed to be the cost of policing being millions of dollars per day, the many days they had to live with the deafening din of air horns, disruptions to emergency vehicles and traffic, and negative impacts on small businesses. No one seemed to be talking anymore about how this protest might be a COVID spreader.
For those that do not know, the situation has been very dynamic the past few days. Hundreds of truckers are still dug in. The city and police have tried threatening arrest for various actions. Stay much longer? Massive fines. Leave now? Free pass. Honk your horn? You might get arrested. Carry in gas? You might get arrested. Carry in groceries? You might get arrested. Children in your truck? We just might have to take those away. The Children’s Aid Society has even been in the news regarding concerns about the protestor’s children. Some Ottawa citizens have started massive lawsuits.
Most of these tactics seem to have had the opposite of their intended effect. I think the problem is that this is a working man’s protest. These guys run their own businesses. They build stuff. They fix stuff. They are street smart. They have driven millions of miles. They are led by a team of experienced truckers, fierce moms, and senior ex-cops who refused to be vaccinated. The police seem to have forgotten are not dealing with a bunch of paid-protestor millennials that otherwise play video games or Tweet. The rules are all different. There is not a single broken window* or defaced statue, or even a stolen sandwich, just a chain of alternating alarming then amusing events.
First, the government moved slowly, refused to listen, and did not seem to take the protests seriously. The truckers were pretty clear that their plan was to stay until they were heard. Yet the government was not ready for thousands of vehicles that had been cheered on by millions. They had to listen to honking for much longer than they hoped. The truckers know about Gideon and Jericho. They know it sends a message to honk hundreds of air horns for over a week. They know it is intimidating. They know that their noise was proportional to government's silence. They know the simple idea of making noise in Ottawa captured the hearts of millions of Canadians.
I have some sympathy for some residents of Ottawa, for certain, and I do not agree with all of the truckers methods or messages. The truckers say they were quiet at night, and tried to be somewhat reasonable. Now they are very quiet. Concessions have been made.
Then the establishment took the millions in the Go-Fund-Me account, and called the truckers terrorists. Now there is Give-Send-Go that has amassed even more. Government tried to call in the towing companies, but the towing companies refuse to tow trucks. There is even a new tongue twister going around: “How many tow trucks could Trudeau tow if the tow trucks won’t tow trucks?”
The tightening rules on honking and protesting were a double-edged sword which the government managed to fall on. First, the protest's organization, cleanliness, and silence ended up looking quite reasonable. Second, there was the forceful arrest on video of a belligerent, but tiny and frail 78-year-old retired Ottawa high-school janitor. For honking the horn of his minivan. Those optics were about as bad as they could be. How many thousands of Ottawa people knew that plucky little janitor? One could hardly make up a worse public relations disaster if they tried.
Then the police seized many gas cans from a camp while a court order prohibited bringing in more gas on pain of arrest. I am sure it seemed logical to them. But this did not endear them to the truckers or a swath of the public who cried foul. I am told a judge ordered the gas and diesel returned. The truckers don't care about the kindly judge or propitiation. They do not care because it all worked in their favor. Ottawa became a beehive of people from every walk of life carrying gas cans full of water, kool-aid, or nothing. Or maybe gas? Apparently a few were arrested, while hundreds got through. When I was there, most fuel tanks were brimming.
The problem with government tactics is that they keep on blowing up in their faces. It has snowballed into inspiration, generosity, creativity, and mischievousness. Even cautious and polite Canadians began to realize that there were low-risk ways to protest inside a fine line. They could simply fly a Canadian flag. They could write a slogan on an empty gas can, and legally carry it around the city. Many felt they could bring food in good conscience. Church-going young people have set up massive free feeding stations. Others pay truckers directly to stay in town, or pay for their hotel rooms. It is hard to describe what is happening in Ottawa.
The government, thus far, looks like a clumsy kid playing whack-a-mole at a fun fair. Even though some of us try not to disrespect government or the law, it is getting very hard for proper people not to at least chuckle. The holes and the moles keep multiplying. Thus far, the truckers are winning. Especially with a growing percentage of the public. This was the scene we drove into.
The Heart of the Protest
Once again, I find much that the media says bears false witness. I do not think I will surprise most readers if I tell you that the Ottawa protest is quite peaceful, and not all that disruptive to the city at this point on a workday. Anyone who says otherwise might eat broccoli for breakfast and probably has 911 on speed-dial. Or their ears are still ringing from the honking, I can understand that aggravation. It would probably color my view if I lived there.
On this day, the city is clean, peaceful, and functioning. I did not hear a single honk. Almost all of the east-west streets were passable, most of them wide open. Many of the north-south streets had a lane open on one side. Constructions crews and delivery vans were going about their business. Most businesses seemed to be up and running like normal. Streets are completely clear for many blocks around the hospitals. I had no problem getting into the downtown core mid-morning, and no problem finding parking in a garage a couple blocks from parliament hill. Partly because the horns are no longer honking, it is really hard to imagine what Ottawa’s complaint is. This is no state of emergency by any stretch of the imagination, it is a state of annoyance. Now that there has been some compliance, calling it a state of emergency is an insult to real emergencies. People are starting to wise up to that pattern.
We started on the west side, and moved to the east. For those worried about white supremacy, I suppose that is a matter of perspective. I saw no actual evidences, unless you count white men wearing camouflage. I am one of them, and I am not a white supremacist. In reality, there were people from every background, all chatting with one another. I saw quite a noticeable presence of Native Canadians, identifiable by their flags, signs, or symbols supporting the protest.
It is hard to find much fault with the main stretch of the protest. It is peaceful, and has an overwhelmingly positive feel. Street hockey and bouncy castles, and some vehicles to look at. There are families with children, and older folks. There are women and men. Well-dressed professionals, clean-cut youths, people who look homeless, recent immigrants, truckers, and farmers helping out. There are people from every walk of life. Speeches are about turning the other cheek, and not giving up, and dreams about change. They are convinced they are changing the world through resolve and kindness, and standing up for others.
It is ironic that downtown Ottawa currently looks like a communist’s utopian dream. Everything is free on this weekday. Except it is hard earned, and it is being shared willingly instead of by decree. I was offered free coffee, free burgers, cookies, roast beef sandwiches, and free deluxe pizza that looked like it was made by gourmet chefs. I saw a man walking down the street with an open wallet and handing out wads of cash to the food stations and truckers. Who needs GoFundMe, or even GiveSendGo? I saw some truckers even turning down offers of gas and diesel, and others who could use a little. For those that are worried about the homeless, I can reassure you that Ottawa’s homeless are currently eating like kings and queens. They have found hundreds of new friends, and some even accommodations. I am repeatedly told that no truckers ever took food from the homeless shelter. They brought their own food, they were well prepared, many of them bringing enough for the long haul in their own vehicles. They are feeding others, and others are feeding them.
Ottawa also needs to stop crying about policing costs. This is another misrepresentation that deserves little sympathy. Unless they are going to evict this protest and have tow trucks waiting, there is hardly a need for so many police. Maybe a few around the fringes. But not hundreds or thousands. I saw no property damage or threat of violence. The only problem many will have with the centre of the protest is long-term parking on a street, which truckers will debate.
The ones in the heart claim that the police ushered them to their arrangements, and that they parked where they were told. Many believe that the right to protest in a capital city supersedes parking regulations, and that they are acting well within their charter rights on every account.
I notice a lot of police are in Ontario Provincial Police uniforms. Quite a few are not wearing masks, and seem relatively relaxed. There is a rumor that the blue-flu has swept through Ottawa police, many officers are calling in sick or refusing assignments. Some say that a prominent staff sergeant resigned out of respect for the truckers and in protest of police tactics. Rumors, perhaps. I only see a handful of Ottawa officers.
In the many conversations I had with complete strangers, I managed to converse with quite a few true truckers. I wanted to know why they were here. The reasons are varied. Some are here for their families or grandchildren. Some are vaccinated, some are not. Some are refusing to get a booster. Some are here because they are at rock-bottom. Some seem to hate the government. Vaccines are not always the main theme, but some are very convinced that the vaccines are dangerous. Many of them are convinced that they are laying down their lives, or livelihoods, for others. Some of the Quebecois truckers seem a little more angry. Many are simply here for freedom.
None seem to care much about government threats. They shrug and give half-smiles, and usually offer some hint of how their vehicle has been disabled. Brake cables have been removed, other parts taken off and sent to other places. Fines do not phase them. They laugh at the idea of million dollar lawsuits, or arrest, or losing their CVOR. If someone loses their job, their choice, can’t make payments, and has no future, what is a few million dollars more? It is a joke to them. They have seen how "God has their back," or a world of decent folk has their back, and they couldn’t care less what the man will try to do. I don’t hear any of them wish ill will on anyone else. Except on some politicians. They just want to be left alone to work, but they are out of choices. If their road is blocked, Ottawa needs to be blocked. This is the end of the road.
Many Canadians are now in favor of the core of the protest. Once you have been there, and talked to the people, many motives seem understandable. One wants to help them. My heart goes out to them.
I am sorry if I am bursting some bubbles, but this protest is not entirely pretty. Perhaps because I came on a week-day, some contrasts were more visible. I started to notice that that the protest shifts in character as you move through various zones. It is clear that friends park by friends, and there are regional hints. The main section was mainly freedom messaging, many Bible verses on signs, and had a sense of warmth. It is family friendly, charitable, and optimistic. Many will find it easy to go all-in on that. The fringes are filled with contrasts. After we go down some side streets, and when we cross the Rideau Canal, there are changes. It is not that I feel threatened or in danger at all, but it does have a different character.
I notice a lot of police are in Ontario Provincial Police uniforms. Quite a few are not wearing masks, and seem relatively relaxed. There is a rumor that the blue-flu has swept through Ottawa police, many officers are calling in sick or refusing assignments. Some say that a prominent staff sergeant resigned out of respect for the truckers and in protest of police tactics. Rumors, perhaps. I only see a handful of Ottawa officers.
In the many conversations I had with complete strangers, I managed to converse with quite a few true truckers. I wanted to know why they were here. The reasons are varied. Some are here for their families or grandchildren. Some are vaccinated, some are not. Some are refusing to get a booster. Some are here because they are at rock-bottom. Some seem to hate the government. Vaccines are not always the main theme, but some are very convinced that the vaccines are dangerous. Many of them are convinced that they are laying down their lives, or livelihoods, for others. Some of the Quebecois truckers seem a little more angry. Many are simply here for freedom.
None seem to care much about government threats. They shrug and give half-smiles, and usually offer some hint of how their vehicle has been disabled. Brake cables have been removed, other parts taken off and sent to other places. Fines do not phase them. They laugh at the idea of million dollar lawsuits, or arrest, or losing their CVOR. If someone loses their job, their choice, can’t make payments, and has no future, what is a few million dollars more? It is a joke to them. They have seen how "God has their back," or a world of decent folk has their back, and they couldn’t care less what the man will try to do. I don’t hear any of them wish ill will on anyone else. Except on some politicians. They just want to be left alone to work, but they are out of choices. If their road is blocked, Ottawa needs to be blocked. This is the end of the road.
Many Canadians are now in favor of the core of the protest. Once you have been there, and talked to the people, many motives seem understandable. One wants to help them. My heart goes out to them.
The Fringe of the Protest
I am sorry if I am bursting some bubbles, but this protest is not entirely pretty. Perhaps because I came on a week-day, some contrasts were more visible. I started to notice that that the protest shifts in character as you move through various zones. It is clear that friends park by friends, and there are regional hints. The main section was mainly freedom messaging, many Bible verses on signs, and had a sense of warmth. It is family friendly, charitable, and optimistic. Many will find it easy to go all-in on that. The fringes are filled with contrasts. After we go down some side streets, and when we cross the Rideau Canal, there are changes. It is not that I feel threatened or in danger at all, but it does have a different character.
On the east end, there are a few Ottawa police officers and others with “negotiator” vests trying to talk with some protestors. Unlike most other areas, the intersection of Rideau and Sussex is blocked off by trucks in all directions. On the fringes like this, there are black flags with the F-Trudeau messages flapping in the wind and black "don't tread on me banners," as well as more Fleur-de-lis. There are more and more other signs and banners that cannot be repeated in polite company. The pickup trucks with fringe messaging and images on them are parked haphazardly. Bumper stickers betray that gun rights are also an issue around here. Then again, they are also an issue with many of us out in the country. They really do not like Trudeau or Legault, some would like to see them hang. I have no doubt that there is some hard-partying that happens around here, and that this might cause some problems. Yet I have also heard it is actually quite well self-policed at night even here.
I am told it is the counter-protestors who wreak havoc and even vandalize trucks. It is the weekenders that are more rowdy than the truckers. At the same time, the appearances do not communicate quite the same peace, love, and happiness as back a few blocks.
The air of optimism in the center seems to be replaced with hardness on the edges. The truckers in the centre had a twinkle in their eye, these guys have flint. Truckers, and other protestors, seem to be dressed in subtly different ways here. Some in these corners come across as very resolved, angry, hard men who have a very different honor code than the globalists. I have spent some time with men like this. I worked with these types for years in warehouses and on factory floors. I actually was a trucker for a short time. They sometimes frequent the fringes of churches. They are often single fathers who got the short end of the stick, and they probably live amongst biker types and other toughs. Their language is rough and tough.
Yet I can still appreciate many things about them. They stand on their own two feet. Many of them would give you the shirt off their back. They do not steal from the homeless. They hold down jobs. Many value truth and justice.
The police negotiators are trying to convince these truckers to open up a lane so that an ambulance can get through if needed. They are trying to convince that it would save significant time in an emergency. The protestors are refusing to move, and the actual truckers seem relatively calm and indifferent. I end up talking to a police officer. I find his arguments to open the street quite compelling, but the man beside me says convincingly that he has myocarditis from the vaccine. He wants this intersection to stay completely blocked until the government listens to the people. Even if it means someone dies in an ambulance. He does not care. He is scared he is going to die himself. He wants answers, no one is listening. It is a little tense here.
I am told it is the counter-protestors who wreak havoc and even vandalize trucks. It is the weekenders that are more rowdy than the truckers. At the same time, the appearances do not communicate quite the same peace, love, and happiness as back a few blocks.
The air of optimism in the center seems to be replaced with hardness on the edges. The truckers in the centre had a twinkle in their eye, these guys have flint. Truckers, and other protestors, seem to be dressed in subtly different ways here. Some in these corners come across as very resolved, angry, hard men who have a very different honor code than the globalists. I have spent some time with men like this. I worked with these types for years in warehouses and on factory floors. I actually was a trucker for a short time. They sometimes frequent the fringes of churches. They are often single fathers who got the short end of the stick, and they probably live amongst biker types and other toughs. Their language is rough and tough.
Yet I can still appreciate many things about them. They stand on their own two feet. Many of them would give you the shirt off their back. They do not steal from the homeless. They hold down jobs. Many value truth and justice.
The police negotiators are trying to convince these truckers to open up a lane so that an ambulance can get through if needed. They are trying to convince that it would save significant time in an emergency. The protestors are refusing to move, and the actual truckers seem relatively calm and indifferent. I end up talking to a police officer. I find his arguments to open the street quite compelling, but the man beside me says convincingly that he has myocarditis from the vaccine. He wants this intersection to stay completely blocked until the government listens to the people. Even if it means someone dies in an ambulance. He does not care. He is scared he is going to die himself. He wants answers, no one is listening. It is a little tense here.
Later I look at some maps. One problem with the police, I think, is that they have misjudged who they are dealing with again. These are not bleeding heart protestors who need to virtue-signal. The truckers know that ambulances are not the real issue. They go from point A to point B every day. There are hospitals with emergency rooms roughly equidistant in three directions. Ambulances could get very close to here, and leave from here. Due to the protest, perhaps quicker today than many days.
This is a symbolic stand they are taking. This intersections is between parliament and the Prime Minister’s residence. It is the road to embassies, and halls of power. This is not about ambulances, don't try to fool them.
Some of these men are fully convinced the vaccine would kill them sooner or later. Some do not want a booster. Some seem to think it is killing them now. The vaccine is certainly a thread woven through here, though freedom seems to be the main issue. The most popular undercurrent here seems to be a belief that it destroys the natural immune system, and makes one dependent on vaccines to fight off future COVID infection. That and it caused many heart issues, many here say they know people who died after vaccination.
Some of these men are fully convinced the vaccine would kill them sooner or later. Some do not want a booster. Some seem to think it is killing them now. The vaccine is certainly a thread woven through here, though freedom seems to be the main issue. The most popular undercurrent here seems to be a belief that it destroys the natural immune system, and makes one dependent on vaccines to fight off future COVID infection. That and it caused many heart issues, many here say they know people who died after vaccination.
Not everyone here believes these things, there are many that just believe in freedom.
It is important to try to understand the predicament many here find themselves in. If one firmly believes this about vaccines, and their livelihood is threatened, and their future is taken from them, what do they have to lose? Their life went from regulations and log books, to GPS, to governors, to electronic log books, to tighter regulations. The screws keep tightening. If this is what you believe about vaccines, why would you not take a stand, even if it might mean dying with your boots on or losing it all? Why wait for the man to come and get you? Why not go to him and stand on his toes for a while? Why not drive to the end of the road and park? If you are just taking up space, why not take up some symbolic space? Mixed motives here, for sure.
Some of these men are out of options. Take some time to understand them. Their prime minister has called them things they are not, slandered them, and mused out loud about how they "take up space." Now they are. Now Trudeau refuses to listen, and says more and more inconsiderate things. Is it really a surprise that they fly those flags? I can sympathize with their plight, though I am certainly not on board with many of their messages, methods, or ideas. I do not reason the way they do on many accounts, but I get why they are where they are.
It is important to try to understand the predicament many here find themselves in. If one firmly believes this about vaccines, and their livelihood is threatened, and their future is taken from them, what do they have to lose? Their life went from regulations and log books, to GPS, to governors, to electronic log books, to tighter regulations. The screws keep tightening. If this is what you believe about vaccines, why would you not take a stand, even if it might mean dying with your boots on or losing it all? Why wait for the man to come and get you? Why not go to him and stand on his toes for a while? Why not drive to the end of the road and park? If you are just taking up space, why not take up some symbolic space? Mixed motives here, for sure.
Some of these men are out of options. Take some time to understand them. Their prime minister has called them things they are not, slandered them, and mused out loud about how they "take up space." Now they are. Now Trudeau refuses to listen, and says more and more inconsiderate things. Is it really a surprise that they fly those flags? I can sympathize with their plight, though I am certainly not on board with many of their messages, methods, or ideas. I do not reason the way they do on many accounts, but I get why they are where they are.
Part of me wants to stay with these men on the fringes, but mainly to listen and bring some more gospel.
Is this a rebellion or a legitimate protest by those that have critical grievances? Is there sinful resisting of authority happening here? Having seen the fringes, I do not blame any Christians for their qualms with the protest, or fears of how it could go. Some of the signs, the language, the postures, the actions, do clearly communicate evil things. Some of the attitudes towards police are edgy, though restrained. On the other hand, having seen the center and meeting so many other positive protestors, many other reasonable people would want to pitch in. How can we make sense of this mixture? It seems to be both.
My mind goes back to the beat-up neighborhood I once lived in near central Grand Rapids, Michigan. There were tensions with some of the neighbors, and there was some crime going on. The neighbor beside us was a biker type. He had a Bible, but did not want to talk about it. He usually open-carried a handgun in a holster on his side, and he was a no nonsense man. He was a single father, and his little boy often played at our place. He had a snowplow on his truck, and did our driveway for free. He drove a tow truck, and moonlighted fixing cars in his driveway. I asked him politely not to use his air tools right under my bedroom window after 11:00 PM, and he thought that was reasonable. He actually began to stop a little earlier. Listening to him, and asking respectfully was probably the key. I understood that the rattle of his ratchet put food on his table. He understood a student needs sleep. He was a good man to have as a neighbor. I believe that no crime happened within sight of that man's yard for a reason. He was coarse, but only intimidating until you got to know him. I believe in the Sovereign God who places people like that beside me for good reasons. To annoy me at times, but also to teach me about my own heart.
There is something profound about this protest that reminded me of that friendship. It has a warm center and heart which is made up of many Christians and their ethos of giving and turning the other cheek. Yet they are surrounded by rough-necks, bikers, and red necks. I may be reading things wrong, but it looks like Hell's Angels surround heaven's angels. I did not see any biker patches, but it was pretty clear to me what types were on the edge. The reality of this protest is that the tactics of the fringe hold down the fort, and the tactics of the heart keep it alive. This is a strange unity.
Processing a Protest
My mind goes back to the beat-up neighborhood I once lived in near central Grand Rapids, Michigan. There were tensions with some of the neighbors, and there was some crime going on. The neighbor beside us was a biker type. He had a Bible, but did not want to talk about it. He usually open-carried a handgun in a holster on his side, and he was a no nonsense man. He was a single father, and his little boy often played at our place. He had a snowplow on his truck, and did our driveway for free. He drove a tow truck, and moonlighted fixing cars in his driveway. I asked him politely not to use his air tools right under my bedroom window after 11:00 PM, and he thought that was reasonable. He actually began to stop a little earlier. Listening to him, and asking respectfully was probably the key. I understood that the rattle of his ratchet put food on his table. He understood a student needs sleep. He was a good man to have as a neighbor. I believe that no crime happened within sight of that man's yard for a reason. He was coarse, but only intimidating until you got to know him. I believe in the Sovereign God who places people like that beside me for good reasons. To annoy me at times, but also to teach me about my own heart.
There is something profound about this protest that reminded me of that friendship. It has a warm center and heart which is made up of many Christians and their ethos of giving and turning the other cheek. Yet they are surrounded by rough-necks, bikers, and red necks. I may be reading things wrong, but it looks like Hell's Angels surround heaven's angels. I did not see any biker patches, but it was pretty clear to me what types were on the edge. The reality of this protest is that the tactics of the fringe hold down the fort, and the tactics of the heart keep it alive. This is a strange unity.
Unless you are a Canadian trucker. For them it probably comes naturally.
These two groups have always driven the same roads, and have helped one another. They have always shared the same lounges, and parked in the same lots. Why would they not hit the end of the road together? The sense I get is that more than a few at the heart of this protest truly trust God, and not in chariots. They pray. They are even quite realistic about the way they see things going in the long term, but also how they know God will go with them through the valleys ahead. They are committed to laying down their lives in love. It makes sense to them to be there alongside the fringe, because this has always been their world. Some of them probably experience more love from that fringe around them than they feel in their own church. Food and good will is carried from the centre to the fringes. The heart restrains the fringes. Consider that some Christians may be there for completely different reasons than you assume. Some of the protestors are even literally a restraint on each other. Many are peace-makers, though they will be falsely called violent. I saw no violence at all.
Beyond this, the various trucker groups have a mutual enemy. It is not exactly the same enemy for all, but they see the same storm clouds coming. Freedom lost. Government overreach. Globalization. Inflation. Interest rates. Property taxes. They see clearer than most. Many are the rural people who just had their home broken into or snowmobile stolen, and had the police tell them to call their insurance company. That does not sit well. They are the farmer whose guns are being legislated out of legality, when the police are many miles away. They see cities who are biting the hand that feeds them.
Somewhere out there in Canada, a father refuses to vaccinate his child, and he hides her from her mother. In many eyes, he is the kidnapper, she is the hero. But not in the eyes of many of these men. The stakes are high here. Children's Aid lurks around corners. While I am talking to truckers, a series of quiet men sidle up, stand nearby, and listen and nod occasionally. These truckers, I can assure you, are not idiots.
Many also see government as urban sex-communists who are bent on destroying the family and even their humanity. Conversations seem to indicate that the vast majority here do not like the new sexual norms flowing out of the universities. They don't much like a government that wants their children to cut off body parts. They see demons who want to sacrifice the hearts of children. They are increasingly skeptical of "Conservative" politicians and pundits who prop up such a vile system. These common people are sick of the Chamberlain's who want to appease, they want to see more Churchill. Many are hoping for a new leader. There are questions about Poilievre. Even Harper. Some would like to see more of a Cromwell.
These two groups have always driven the same roads, and have helped one another. They have always shared the same lounges, and parked in the same lots. Why would they not hit the end of the road together? The sense I get is that more than a few at the heart of this protest truly trust God, and not in chariots. They pray. They are even quite realistic about the way they see things going in the long term, but also how they know God will go with them through the valleys ahead. They are committed to laying down their lives in love. It makes sense to them to be there alongside the fringe, because this has always been their world. Some of them probably experience more love from that fringe around them than they feel in their own church. Food and good will is carried from the centre to the fringes. The heart restrains the fringes. Consider that some Christians may be there for completely different reasons than you assume. Some of the protestors are even literally a restraint on each other. Many are peace-makers, though they will be falsely called violent. I saw no violence at all.
Beyond this, the various trucker groups have a mutual enemy. It is not exactly the same enemy for all, but they see the same storm clouds coming. Freedom lost. Government overreach. Globalization. Inflation. Interest rates. Property taxes. They see clearer than most. Many are the rural people who just had their home broken into or snowmobile stolen, and had the police tell them to call their insurance company. That does not sit well. They are the farmer whose guns are being legislated out of legality, when the police are many miles away. They see cities who are biting the hand that feeds them.
Somewhere out there in Canada, a father refuses to vaccinate his child, and he hides her from her mother. In many eyes, he is the kidnapper, she is the hero. But not in the eyes of many of these men. The stakes are high here. Children's Aid lurks around corners. While I am talking to truckers, a series of quiet men sidle up, stand nearby, and listen and nod occasionally. These truckers, I can assure you, are not idiots.
Many also see government as urban sex-communists who are bent on destroying the family and even their humanity. Conversations seem to indicate that the vast majority here do not like the new sexual norms flowing out of the universities. They don't much like a government that wants their children to cut off body parts. They see demons who want to sacrifice the hearts of children. They are increasingly skeptical of "Conservative" politicians and pundits who prop up such a vile system. These common people are sick of the Chamberlain's who want to appease, they want to see more Churchill. Many are hoping for a new leader. There are questions about Poilievre. Even Harper. Some would like to see more of a Cromwell.
On quite a few accounts, my own views align closer with these guys than with the ivory towers. I don't mind being their neighbor at all. I see much of what they see, but I also see how easily I myself can get the wrong enemy in my sights. How easy it is to turn to the wrong devices, or latch on to the wrong leaders. That battle lines are not nearly as clear as some of us would like to think. There are some very dark characters lurking around corners, and they may not be who you think. Probably the most dangerous here are the false teachers who ply the aisles.
“...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:12–13
Does my great sadness with how my nation has gone, and my frustration over certain laws lead me to countenance lawlessness? Or is this truly a necessary and principled protest of men who love their neighbors even at the corner of Sussex and Rideau? This will bother some, but I am not entirely convinced it has been a grievous sin to take up that space today. Maybe it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. Feel free to convince me otherwise, but at least go walk a few miles first.
If you or those you love have never "taken up space" I doubt you will understand.
What I am certain of is that it is a sin to slander, lie about, and turn a deaf ear to the working men that take up that space. I believe government will answer to God for far greater sins than many of these truckers. I suspect even the men encamped at Rideau and Sussex are more hardworking, honest, and honorable than literally any of the current members of parliament. Thus far. Time will tell.
Talking to the truckers, they seem to have a reason for every action, and an explanation of how their actions are coordinate to government deafness or dangers. They believe they are acting as mediators for a desperate population. They believe they are reasonable men. They must stand. They are within the Bill of Rights. They hope there are judges who still know the real rule of law. There is some hope that a Governor General may actually be listening. Yet there is no question that some of them sound like anarchists.
We all need the restraints of good government.
I am not finished with processing this protest. There are certainly a few things going on there I could not join in. Those who go on a Saturday will probably see yet a different protest. A Friday night will probably also be different. When I went to Toronto last week, I saw yet another "protest." More and more, as this protest diversifies and spreads, it becomes a broader reflection of a diversity of Canadian dissent. A diversity that seems to be fixed on the main goal of freedom.
I am not finished with processing this protest. There are certainly a few things going on there I could not join in. Those who go on a Saturday will probably see yet a different protest. A Friday night will probably also be different. When I went to Toronto last week, I saw yet another "protest." More and more, as this protest diversifies and spreads, it becomes a broader reflection of a diversity of Canadian dissent. A diversity that seems to be fixed on the main goal of freedom.
Though it was inspired by them, the broader movement of flag-waving is no longer defined by trucks, or horns, or a silent Parliament Hill. I do not think that the government, the police, or the media understand at all what they are dealing with. I am not sure any of us do at this point.
I would like to go again if I could find the time. Mainly, I would like to listen to some more truckers. They have seen a lot.
Please do not assume that everything written in this post is my own words, or reflects my own position. I am trying to capture what I saw and heard with honesty and also some of my own interpretation. I hope to do another post soon on how I think Christians may wisely protest to government.
I would like to go again if I could find the time. Mainly, I would like to listen to some more truckers. They have seen a lot.
Please do not assume that everything written in this post is my own words, or reflects my own position. I am trying to capture what I saw and heard with honesty and also some of my own interpretation. I hope to do another post soon on how I think Christians may wisely protest to government.
*As far as I know, no windows were broken as of the writing of the post. Since then, I am told by a trusted friend that windows have indeed been broken in the past week, and that tensions are high between some of the protestors in this particular area and the police. (February 16, 2022)