The Canadian Parliament and Freedom Convoy protesters are each making ready for the worst as crackdowns towards demonstrators get underway.

Staff on the Parliament had been seen erecting fences outdoors of the constructing Thursday. Extra law enforcement officials had been additionally seen all through the realm, the Related Press reported. The rise in preparations comes a day after Ottawa police started issuing leaflets to protesters with an ultimatum: depart instantly or be arrested.

"The Ottawa Police Service desires to tell you that beneath provincial and federal laws, you'll face extreme penalties if you don't stop additional illegal exercise and take away your automobile and/or property instantly from all illegal protest websites," wrote the police division in a information launch directed at protesters.

Amongst these potential penalties are automobile seizure, driver's license suspension, and arrest on prices of mischief.

Ottawa Police Patrol
Police patrol close to the parliament constructing as an indication led by truck drivers protesting vaccine mandates continues on February 16, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. Police are cracking down on remaining protesters advocating for the tip of COVID-19 measures.Photograph by Scott Olson/Getty Photographs

The crackdowns come two days after Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly resigned from his place. He acquired criticism for his dealing with of the protests and was subsequently changed by interim chief Steve Bell, who issued a separate assertion Wednesday vowing to finish the protests.

"Over the previous few days we have now developed methods to cope with all potential situations," he stated within the assertion. "We can be centered on public security, demonstrator security and officer security. All of our plans and actions can be lawful and according to the Constitution.

"Demonstrators should depart the illegal protest web site. Officers are already going truck to truck to advise them of this demand," he continued. "We wish them to do that peacefully and instantly and we're facilitating the departure of anybody who desires to depart."

Regardless of these warnings, nonetheless, some protesters are vowing to remain put. Whereas coronavirus restrictions and mandates have been an overarching issue within the nationwide protests, demonstrators are actually advocating for what CBC Information calls "the dissolution of the elected federal authorities" by forcing them to repeal mandates.

"We wish the mandates over for the entire the nation. Finish the mandates," stated protest chief Pat King on Thursday morning.

In a earlier Fb video, King warned fellow protesters that the crackdowns would start.

"It is happening," he stated within the video, in accordance with the AP. "Truckers, rise up. Get in your radios. Get in your horns. One lengthy blast. Let's go, guys."

Newsweek has reached out to the Ottawa Police Division to substantiate the set up of fences across the Canadian Parliament however has not acquired a response.

Replace 2/17/2022 at 9:30 a.m. EST: This story has been up to date to incorporate extra info on the continued Ottawa trucker protests.