FREEDOM CONVOY II SLOW ROLLS THROUGH OTTAWA

   Unlike the convoy that recently occupied downtown streets, Saturday’s was a muted affair — at least from the vehicles — with organizers stressing to participants to refrain from blowing their horns, as per instructions from Ottawa police. The slow-rolling convoy additionally did not stop, except for obvious traffic reasons, as it continued on to Vankleek Hill and Highway 417.

    But the support from the sidewalk demonstrators was loud and clear, with chants of “liberté,” “freedom” and “no more mandates” amplified by bullhorns and augmented by John Lennon’s Imagine and Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down on a portable sound system, as well as whistles and shouts of thanks and approval. Flags representing Quebec, Canada, Ontario, Alberta, the United States and the Mohawk nation were waved, as were signs and banners bearing such slogans as “We Are All Essential,” “We the Fringe,” “Make Canada Free Again” and “Mandate Freedom.”