NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Hundreds of people in New Zealand continue to protest against its government’s vaccination mandate, despite the government’s attempt to deter protesters, as participants say they have been inspired by Canadian truckers protesting their own government more than 8,000 miles away.
At least 400 lorries, vans and motorbikes were parked outside the Parliament building in Wellington and crowds of people continue to call for an end to coronavirus restrictions, which have effectively closed the country’s borders, Reuters reported.
“WE ARE NOT GIVING UP”: CANADIAN TRUCKERS SHARE A MESSAGE TO TRUDEAU
“There was an influx of protesters into Parliament today, including children. However, the crowd was orderly,” Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told a group of reporters, Reuters reported.
Protesters wave flags from vehicles parked in the streets outside the parliament building (behind) in Wellington on February 8, 2022, during a protest against Covid restrictions, modeled after a similar protest in Canada. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE/AFP) (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Law enforcement officers trying to clear the government building ordered protesters to leave and said their vehicles could be towed out of the area, officials said.
CANADIAN TRUCKERS: OTTAWA POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS
Chambers added, “This is a very complex situation and we are aware of the tactics we need to adopt to ensure the situation does not escalate,” according to the report.
A protester stands with a Canadian flag near the parliament building in Wellington on February 8, 2022, during a protest against Covid restrictions, modeled after a similar protest in Canada. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE/AFP) (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rejected protesters’ claims calling the protest “import”, Reuters reported.
The protests continued for nine days.
CANADIAN CIVIL LIBERTY GROUPS RESPOND TO TRUDEAU BY INVOKING EMERGENCY ACT
As protests against the vaccine mandate have sprung up across the world, the idea for a protest directly affecting a government building may have originated from the ‘freedom convoy’ in Ottawa protesting the Prime Minister Canadian Justin Trudeau.
Truckers carry jerry cans for refueling as truckers continue to protest against Covid-19 vaccination mandates, in Ottawa, Canada, February 7, 2022.
(Kadri Mohamed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Trudeau called the blocking of vehicles in his country “illegal” and also criticized the protesters as a “small marginal minority of people who… do not represent the views of Canadians.”
On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced it would ease travel restrictions, although it attributes the change to the “actions of tens of millions of Canadians across the country who followed public health measures, including getting vaccinated themselves and their families.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Travelers will still need to be fully vaccinated, however – a requirement protesters want removed.
Police set up a barricade in front of parked vehicles as part of the truckers’ protest, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 in downtown Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
The New Zealand and Canadian protesters committed no crime, resisting instructions to cease, and their respective protests resulted in no injuries or looting.
You Can Read Also
