Ottawa declares emergency over 'Freedom Convoy' protests

The Canadian capital city Ottawa has declared a state of emergency amid ongoing protests that have caused "the most serious emergency" the city has ever faced, according to Mayor Jim Watson.

"Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government," said a statement Sunday from the city.

Hours after the statement, Ottawa police moved to cut off fuel supplies to the "Freedom Convoy" demonstrators occupying the capital's downtown core, with trucks clogging streets and protesters taking over sidewalks in front of Parliament Hill.

Police had earlier threatened arrest for anyone bringing items like gasoline or supplies to protesters and the vehicles. The force said 60 criminal investigations were underway, mostly for mischief, theft, hate crimes and property damage. Seven people had been arrested, and more than 100 tickets had been issued.

A large group of people also gathered in Toronto on Saturday to protest vaccine mandates.

In response to the federal government's mandate that Canadian truck drivers crossing the US border be fully vaccinated, the convoy has attracted thousands of protesters to Ottawa since Jan 28.

The protesters, many of whom have been hauling cargo on long-distance routes between Canada and the United States for decades, said they are not out to make a political statement, but are simply out to make a living.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called the convoy an "occupation" and said, "It's time for this to come to an end." He said protests are a constitutional right, but an occupation is "unacceptable".

The demonstrations have morphed into a protest of all public health measures in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers said they will not end their protests until all measures are lifted.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family left their downtown home after truckers started arriving in Ottawa, and his location has not been disclosed due to security concerns.

"When will the prime minister stop hiding, show up for Canadians, show some leadership and fix the mess that he's created?" interim Conservative Party leader Candice Bergen told the House of Commons.

Trudeau's itinerary for Monday said he was having private meetings Monday somewhere in the capital region, the National Post reported.

According to CBC News, the protests have received "significant rhetorical endorsements" from politicians in US, including former president Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also has pledged support.

Ottawa police said they are aware of American funding for the protests as well.

The truckers switched to a Christian fundraising platform after Silicon Valley-based GoFundMe blocked donations to their campaign, which had exceeded $10 million. They have since raised more than $4.5 million on the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo, based in Boston.

"Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods," the group said on GiveSendGo.

Former US ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman told CBC News that it is "no place for Americans to involve themselves in these kinds of activities".

Canadian politicians have increasingly denounced the protest that the head of the Ottawa Police referred it as an "insurrection".

Canada opposition party NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling for an emergency debate in the House of Commons as Ottawa Mayor asked the federal and provincial governments for 1,800 more police officers to deal with the protest on Monday.

Heng Weili in New York and Reuters contributed to this story.