Blockade of Ambassador Bridge by COVID-19 Mandate Protesters Forces Shut Down of Ford Engine Plant in Windsor, Canada
A blockade of the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor and Detroit by protesters demanding an end to Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates forced the shutdown Wednesday (Feb. 9) of a Ford plant.
The protest by people mostly in pickup trucks entered its third day. Traffic was prevented from entering Canada, while U.S.-bound traffic was still moving. The bridge carries 25% of all trade between the two countries.
Ford said late Wednesday that parts shortages forced it to shut down an engine plant in Windsor.
“This interruption on the Detroit-Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, suppliers, communities and companies on both sides of the border,” Ford said in a statement. “We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada.”
A ruckus outside the NZ parliament in Wellington has led to 120 people being detained, the authorities confirmed, after demonstrators refused to leave the grounds.
New Zealand police confirmed the protesters, who’ve been inspired by Canada’s Freedom Convoy, were charged with trespass and obstruction.
Officers were seen using pepper spray and pulling people from the crowd. Meanwhile, parking wardens have been deployed to ticket vehicles blocking streets.