Statement of Solidarity for Ottawa

The lengthy trucker convoy that has besieged the city of Ottawa and its residents is a disgraceful expression of bigotry and contempt for both the rule of law and the people of Ottawa. As civil rights leaders committed to building inclusive democracy and countering movements of organized bigotry in the United States, we feel compelled to speak out in solidarity with the people of Ottawa. Ottawa residents are experiencing not only significant disruptions to daily life in the city, but also, and much worse, a spike in harassment and hate violence due to the protest. The trucker protest is being used to mainstream organized bigotry, with some protestors using Confederate and Nazi flags to make their point and a prominent leader of the convoy promoting the antisemitic “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, while others engage in genocide relativism by appropriating symbols of the Holocaust.  

This convoy is not a reflection of a general uprising. Instead, it represents the use of intimidation to undermine the government of Ottawa and its ability to protect its residents from harassment and hate violence. Though the convoy is supported by a minority of Canadians, it is receiving energy, airtime and financial support from conservative media and bigoted movements in the United States and around the world, using it as an anti-democracy rallying cry. The vast majority of Canadians support democratic institutions and public health safety measures in response to COVID-19.  

We firmly support the right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to protest. But those rights do not extend to the strategic use of harassment, intimidation, and violence. Monday’s news of 11 arrests at the Coutts border crossing, with law enforcement following up on an attempted vehicle attack and finding that a small group of protesters had amassed a cache of firearms and body armor, are a grim reminder of the dangers associated with organized anti-democracy and bigoted groups. We have seen similar tactics, including truck and vehicle convoys, used to deadly effect by white nationalists, paramilitaries, and other bigoted anti-democracy groups in the United States. 

We stand in solidarity with the government of Ottawa and the people of Ottawa in opposition to the use of anti-democracy tactics to spread bigotry and express opposition to public health measures. We are inspired by those, such as Teamsters Canada, who have courageously spoken out for inclusive democratic values. We wish to add our voices to the chorus in support of the strong, diverse communities that are threatened by these protests and the inclusive democratic institutions working to protect them.

ORGANIZATIONAL SIGNERS:

Western States Center

American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL)

Bridging Divides Initiative

Integrity First for America

Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law

People’s Action

Race Forward