This past Sunday in Ottawa, police ended the weeks-long protests of the so-called Freedom Convoy, a band of Canadian truckers protesting Canada's vaccine mandates for truckers delivering goods across national borders. The group generated worldwide media attention with its blockade of border entry points that heavily delayed the delivery of goods and contributed to supply chain issues, all while being hailed by conservative media, especially in the United States.
The protesters did so under the all-too-familiar guise of patriotism, insisting they were fighting for freedom with their takeovers of multiple city blocks and their use of Nazi-era symbols, likening themselves to Jews facing the atrocities of the Holocaust.
But while the protesters present themselves as martyrs, trucking trade organizations have warned that the blockades are impacting hundreds of millions of dollars' worth in goods. At least one trucker, who said the protests were "making more and more people mad at us," recounted having to go five hours out of his way due to a Freedom Convoy blockade on the Ambassador Bridge.
Now, one Canadian official has called out the convoy's use of "freedom" as a defense for the disruptive demonstrations against lifesaving vaccines.
Canadian representative to the United Nations, Bob Rae, emphasized that these protests weren't about freedom at all.
A truck is not a speech. A horn is not a voice. An occupation is not a protest. A blockade is not freedom, it blocks the liberty of all. A demand to overthrow a government is not a dialogue. The expression of hatred is not a difference of opinion. A lie is not the truth.
— Bob Rae (@BobRae48) February 20, 2022
He wrote:
"A truck is not a speech. A horn is not a voice. An occupation is not a protest. A blockade is not freedom, it blocks the liberty of all. A demand to overthrow a government is not a dialogue. The expression of hatred is not a difference of opinion. A lie is not the truth."
Social media users agreed.
Brilliantly said. 👇🏻 #cdnpoli https://t.co/LtrKXcu9fJ
— Ryan Turnbull (@TurnbullWhitby) February 21, 2022
Brilliant formulation from Bob Rae. https://t.co/oZNoNlbJzr
— Jack Todd (@jacktodd46) February 20, 2022
Bob Rae with the knockout punch... https://t.co/sMnSqXjna9
— alanazon (@alanazon) February 21, 2022
And let the Saints say AMEN!! https://t.co/Vm9ad326GQ
— Pam Keith, Esq. (@PamKeithFL) February 20, 2022
Well stated. https://t.co/PvfxN1Wf3H
— RETIRED MASTER CHIEF⚓️ (@CMCRET) February 20, 2022
So well said @BobRae48!
Worth reading again and again at a time where we need to be clear on what is and what is not occurring these days in Canada… https://t.co/cEWkO6HfJ3
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) February 21, 2022
For others, Rae's comments were enraging.
🇨🇦A COMMUNIST is not a Canadian. https://t.co/m2sO3gvQ2b
— pdf (@pdf00587301) February 20, 2022
A horn is not a blockade. A functioning parliament is not under siege. Criticism against the government is not a plot to overthrow it. When difference of opinion is muzzled by partisan legislation, there is no democracy. Your opinion is not the truth. https://t.co/X2maNa0NS6
— David Lepage (@LepageDavid) February 21, 2022
Bob believes medical apartheid is moral, so should just sit down and shut up
We pay you, u unsufferable clown https://t.co/YFZxIoChjc
— Alberta-Leonidas (@AlbertaLeonidas) February 20, 2022
Conservative activists in the United States, which has also grappled with widespread vaccine disinformation, have looked to replicate the protests in America.