The Freedom Rally has been going on for five days and shows no signs of ending of its own volition. In the meantime, residents of downtown— including vulnerable homeless and mentally ill — are being directly affected by constant noise, and a party atmosphere of bad behaviour. Furthermore, traffic to the core has been cut off, preventing thousands of citizens from accessing their jobs or other crucial services for life. 

To this, the Ottawa Police has done nothing, except curtailing the worst offences (after statue and monument desecrations). Otherwise we see on social media a lot of support for the protesters, while the official word is that their hands are tied. 

Enough is enough — we support the right to protest. But even if this was a legitimate movement with a coherent message, it would still be past time to allow the normal and harmonious life of the city to resume. We demand that the police of this city do their job for this city, and that means clearing streets, and ticketing vehicle and noise infractions. Not taking selfies and making excuses.