Windsor Police Requesting Additional Resources To Deal With Ambassador Bridge Protest

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Windsor Police are continuing to work with organizers of the Freedom Convoy to resolve the blockage of the Ambassador Bridge and are requesting additional resources from other levels of government, officials announced Wednesday.

Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined by Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno to update the community on the situation.

“Every hour this protest continues, our community hurts,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Thousands of workers feed their families because of the commerce made possible at the Ambassador Bridge.”

“Hundreds of local businesses stay in business thanks to the Ambassador Bridge,” Dilkens said.  He said he’s worried about the lasting impact on the local economy if the protest continues.

Dilkens said the protests have so far been peaceful.

He said the City is planning for a “protracted protest” and is requesting additional resource in the form of police personnel.

Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno speaks to the media, Wednesday afternoon.

“We are striving to resolve this issue safely and peacefully,” Dilkens said. “My office has already received numerous complaints from local residents and business owners advocating for the demonstrators to be forcibly removed.”

Dilkens said such actions may “inflame the situation”.

“We don’t want to risk additional conflict,” he said.

Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno said there are approximately 50 to 75 vehicles and around 100 protesters blocking the border. She said College Avenue and Tecumseh Road West are open for east and west-bound traffic, and police are working with organizers to ensure first responders are able to access the area.

“Our goal is to open all lanes of traffic on Huron Church Road,” Mizuno said. “In order to do that, we are taking a diplomatic approach and attempting to negotiate a safe and sustainable resolution.”

“Today I’ll be forwarding a request to both provincial and federal officials looking to obtain shared resources, as we need them, in the form of personnel and equipment,” she said.