I’ve been trying to figure out why this St. Brigid’s Squatters Rally has been bugging me so much.

They’re not as loud as Convoy 1.0, they’re not causing major traffic disruptions (although I have seen on several occasions people slow down and yell things like “YOU’RE NOT WELCOME HERE”), nor are they crippling downtown Ottawa businesses and our economy.

Did we abolish police in Ottawa? Is everyone off today? https://t.co/cw60mi1k4N

— David Moscrop (@David_Moscrop) August 25, 2022

I don’t live next door, I’m just a few blocks away, and I see it every day as I walk to the gym or on my drive down Cumberland St. to get home.  Lowertown has been my home for the better of the 10+ years I’ve lived in Ottawa.

Fellow residents and I use humour to deal with this absolute circus, but I’ve confirmed with many that it’s straight-up PTSD from January and February.  I understand it’s a different situation for police, and they can’t just physically remove them (or use horses, dammit). But the energy of their “meetings”, verbiage and pathological lying is disturbing and all too familiar.

It’s the flags in the back. The light “maintenance” they’ve done to the building. The doomsday red doors. The vehicles adorned with “F*ck Trudeau” stickers. The recent “adopt a neighbour” tents taunting our beautiful neighbourhood and its residents.  We hit “eviction” day, and they’re wearing crowns, dancing on the stairs, and spraying reporters with water guns.  It’s the “we’re not leaving” talking points.

https://crier.co/news/video-those-crazies-at-the-tupoc-convoy-church-in-ottawa-made-a-citizens-arrest-of-a-member-of-the-lgbtq-community-over-a-water-gun-today/

The longer they are there, the more audacity and privilege skyrocket.  Copy + paste.

It is Convoy 2.0, but a hint crazier than its predecessor.

Mary Anne Ivison is the host of Canada’s biggest outdoor podcast, “Let’s Take This Outside.” Download and sub below.

I’m on @MaOnTheAir ‘s outdoorsy podcast, go listen to hear about me talk about teaching ecology and spending time outside!https://t.co/IcR3MCVqLD

— Ariane Cantin (@Ariane_Cantin) August 16, 2022

https://www.letstakethisoutside.ca/ariane-cantin/