Speaking notes for Interim Chief Bell for April 28 News Conference ‘Rolling Thunder’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:05 am

Thank you to the media for being here for this briefing on the operational plan we have in place to address the Rolling Thunder event.

Throughout the planning of this event, we have worked hard to ensure that everyone knows what they can expect in the days ahead. We wanted to ensure media have the opportunity to ask questions about our preparations so we can get this information to our community. We have heard the concerns from the community. Our plan is designed to address those concerns such as access to residential neighbourhoods, noise, improper driving, parking, acts of hate or intolerance and criminality. Your police service will not allow for unsafe or unlawful conditions that could lead to another unlawful protest.

Lawful Protest

The right to lawful and peaceful demonstrations will always be protected by our Service. The joint position of City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police is that no motor vehicle-based protests, rallies or events will be allowed in designated downtown areas. This includes areas near and around Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial and applies to all demonstrations, rallies and events. Organizers have been advised of this. We have created an exclusion zone in the downtown area. No motor vehicles involved in any event (rally, protest, demonstration) are permitted inside this zone. However, the roads are not closed. Allowances will be made for local residential and business traffic. The flow of pedestrians, cyclists and public transit will continue throughout the operation. City barricades, heavy equipment or police officers and police vehicles will be at various controlled access points surrounding the vehicle exclusion zone to filter lawful traffic on to those streets.

We have already begun to execute this plan. This weekend, residents will see a large and sustained police and enforcement presence including bylaw and parking enforcement. We have called in officers from the OPP, RCMP and other municipal police services to execute the plan. We thank those services for contributing to this effort. Controlled intersections, new no parking and no stopping areas, road closures, vehicle towing and ticketing will be part of the enforcement strategy to support public safety. We have developed multiple contingencies including traffic officers and quick response teams that will be ready to provide an immediate police response to issues throughout the city.

Public Safety

Organizers and participants will be held accountable for actions before, during, and after events. For example, many of the individuals charged in the unlawful protest in February have conditions not to be in Ottawa. Those individuals must respect conditions set by the court. If you breach your conditions, you will be arrested and charged.

Overview of Event

I will provide an overview of what we expect to see. The individuals associated with this event are expected to arrive on Friday with many of the main activities occurring on Saturday. We are monitoring the numbers and we know that organizers have said they expect more than 500 motorcycles. We expect that many of these individuals will be staying in downtown hotels. There are other sites these participants may visit including a rural property on Eagleson Road and a church Vanier. Any area where these participants gather will see increased police presence and possible traffic delays. The organizers have advised that the participants will depart the city on Sunday.

Saturday Ride

A key feature of Rolling Thunder is a planned motorcycle rally on Saturday. Participants are expected to gather at a location on Coventry Road and wait until a number of participants have arrived before departing. At about 10:45 a.m., they plan on leaving the Coventry Road area, riding north along the Vanier Parkway, turning onto Montreal Road and merging onto Rideau Street. At Rideau Street they will turn south onto Waller Street and then head onto the Mackenzie King Bridge. After crossing the bridge, they will turn south on Elgin Street and then east on Laurier Avenue West. Finally, they will turn south onto Nicholas Street and merge onto Highway 417. There will be participants already in place on foot at the War Memorial for a ceremony. There will be a heavy police presence in the area backed up by barricades, heavy equipment and tows. The entire route has been designated as a no stopping and no parking area. Officers will be there to direct traffic and ensure the participants safely and expeditiously leave the area with as little impact as possible on residents.

Enhanced Operational Plan

Throughout the week I have repeated that the focus of our plan will be on public safety, maintaining the right to protest and enforcing all applicable laws. We continue to monitor online, and open-source commentary related to all events. Threatening or intimidating behaviours will be addressed with all appropriate enforcement action. Investigative teams, including our Hate Crime Unit, are in place, focused on gathering evidence and laying charges.

The displaying of symbols of hate like swastikas will result in charges. The targeting of any community events will result in a police and enforcement response.

Conclusion

We have heard the community and take seriously the concerns raised. You will see that in our planning. It’s also important we set context and expectations. We see a lot of conflict online over this event. Much of it from people and groups behind keyboards far away who want to drive discord. I absolutely do not want to see that conflict on our streets. This is an open and peaceful city. Given the size of our jurisdiction, you will see people on motorcycles and individuals in the downtown core who have absolutely nothing to do with this event. We all need to be respectful of one another. It is my goal that the operation we have in place will reassure our residents and businesses and allow you to enjoy our community. We will continue to communicate with the media and the public through our regular channels including our website, social media and our Media Relations Office.

I am happy to take any questions.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366