Protesters have occupied downtown Ottawa for more than a week and the mayor has called for 2,000 additional police, a day after declaring a state of emergency.

This decision and this request follow the demonstrations of the so-called “Coluna dos Camões da Liberdade”, which paralyzed the downtown area of ​​​​the Canadian capital, with the parking of hundreds of vehicles.

The protests have also angered nearby residents, including neighborhoods near the seat of the federal government.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly called the protest “unprecedented demonstration, never seen in Canada” and admitted that authorities had not anticipated its duration.

Many U.S. Republicans have voiced their support for the protesters, including Donald Trump, who has called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a ‘far-left lunatic’, accusing him of ‘destroying Canada with senseless obligations’ over the novel coronavirus .

Protesters are guaranteeing they won’t give up until all mandatory vaccines and novel coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Among the Republicans who have backed the Canadian protesters are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Attorney General and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

A former US ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, has said US-based groups should stop interfering in the US neighbor’s internal affairs.

One of the most recent developments was an Ontario Superior Court order that prohibits truckers parked in downtown Ottawa from constantly honking their horns.

Also read: Declared ‘state of emergency’ in Canada’s capital due to protests