RCMP signals action at the Coutts border crossing
LETHBRIDGE, AB. — ***UPDATE — As of 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, some truckers blockading highway-4 at the Coutts border crossing began to leave the area. Dozens of RCMP officers confronted individuals in the convoy and video footage shows many truck drivers deciding to leave as they risked arrest. However, others decided to meet, decide their next move and then determine they would not be going anywhere. After getting a number of truckers to leave, the RCMP pulled back to also reassess.
After three days of attempting to reason with truckers blocking the Coutts border crossing, RCMP issued the following statement early Tuesday (Feb 1) afternoon:
“What may have begun as a peaceful assembly quickly turned into an unlawful blockade. While Alberta RCMP has been in a position to conduct enforcement, we have been engaged with protesters at the Coutts border crossing in an effort to find a peaceful and safe resolution for all involved. We thought we had a path to resolution, the protesters eventually chose not to comply.
As of this morning, further action is being taken by the Alberta RCMP as this blockade continues to impede the ability for emergency agencies to provide full services to area residents. It has also negatively impacted the flow of goods and services, and impedes the public’s freedom of movement.”