Officer ‘choked’, four arrested in ‘interaction’ at National War Memorial: Ottawa police

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Ottawa police say an officer was choked during a confrontation at the National War Memorial.

Police said they were reviewing video of the incident, but ‘initial investigation’ found an interaction between officers and individuals at the site turned ‘confrontational’ after an officer was hushed up .

Other officers then responded and four people were arrested.

Army reservist James Topp, who was charged after criticizing uniformed vaccination mandates earlier this year, ended his march across Canada to the memorial on Thursday, with ‘freedom’ protesters on hand to encourage him.

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There is a heavy police presence in downtown Ottawa ahead of planned demonstrations by ‘freedom’ protesters on Canada Day. A picnic in Strathcona Park is planned for tomorrow, followed by a walk and dance party downtown.

City police called in the RCMP for backup as the city has a ‘vehicle exclusion zone’ in effect around Parliament Hill and Mayor Jim Watson urged people to come downtown to celebrate the Canada Day in person (for the first time since 2019) and not be intimidated or intimidated by those who may try to disrupt the party.

On Wednesday night, Ottawa police said officers arrested a man who was causing a disturbance on Parliament Hill. The man, who was also wanted in Toronto on outstanding warrants, was being sent there to appear in court.

Earlier Thursday, police announced they had arrested a second person for violating his bail conditions to not enter Ottawa.

The person’s vehicle was also seized.

The arrest follows what police described as an « operation » near Highway 417 and Anderson Road in the east.

No other details were immediately available.