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Forty-six people have been arrested in Windsor, Ontario, as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate protest and blockade at the Ambassador Bridge by the Canadian Freedom Convoy.
According to the Windsor Police Department, the arrests led to 90 charges associated with the protest. Of those arrested, 43 were charged with breaching a court order. Additionally, 37 vehicles and trucks were seized.
"There will be continued police presence in the demonstration area to ensure public safety," the department wrote in a new release. "There will be zero tolerance for any unlawful activity. There are ongoing investigations into the protestors' activity."
Last month, the Canadian government imposed a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on cross-border truck drivers, requiring them to be fully vaccinated or face quarantine.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enacted the Emergencies Act for the first time in 50 years due to the protests, which were started by the self-declared Freedom Convoy against the mandate.
Trudeau said that Windsor protest was hurting not only local residents, but the nation, as well. The Ambassador Bridge from Windsor to Detroit is the busiest international crossing in North America.
"These illegal blockades are hurting Canadians, and they need to stop," he said.
The Emergencies Act granted Trudeau the authority to send personnel to areas occupied by forces that "seriously [threaten] the ability of the Government of Canada to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Canada."
One group at the U.S.-Alberta border is planning to stand its ground against getting the vaccine. As of 10:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, 11 arrests had been made there since the protest began on January 29.
A blockade in Alberta in the town of Coutts has been estimated to have caused about $44 million worth of goods to not cross the border into the United States daily.
But some of the protests have drawn backlash from vaccinated truckers.
"I'm running out of the fuel in my trailer," Luis Restrepo told Global News. "I'm worrying about that. I'm carrying produce from Sacramento, California, to Calgary. Pretty much almost 40 hours right now. I crossed the border on Saturday. I'm over 40 hours right now here. I'm stuck just across the border."
Update 2/15/22, 10:55 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.
