02/10/2022

Paris and Brussels to Ban ‘Freedom Convoy’ Inspired by Canadian Protesters

Penalties will include prison time, fines and driving bans

Authorities in Paris and Brussels said Thursday they will block convoys from entering both cities, potentially thwarting European plans for the type of demonstration that has paralyzed Ottawa, closed border crossings into the United States and inspired copycats.

Paris police said in a statement that convoys now en route to the French capital from across the country will not be able to enter the city for planned rallies this weekend “because of a risk to public order.” Penalties for blocking public roads include prison time, fines and driving bans, the statement noted.

Not long afterward, the mayor of Brussels, where several groups planned to converge on Feb. 14, announced that a procession modeled on Canada’s so-called “Freedom Convoy” would not be allowed in. Vehicles arriving to protest will be “diverted,” the mayor said.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.