OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A Republican lawmaker from New Mexico says she’ll be introducing legislation to temporarily provide asylum in the United States for Canadian truck drivers after comparing that country’s handling of opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates to “an authoritarian regime like Venezuela.”
“Justin Trudeau’s heavy-handed crackdown against peaceful protesters in Canada is not the action of a Western Democracy, but that of an authoritarian regime like Venezuela,” freshman Rep. Yvette Herrell tweeted Saturday along with a video clip of Fox News host Tucker Carlson discussing the situation in Canada.
Justin Trudeau’s heavy-handed crackdown against peaceful protesters in Canada is not the action of a Western Democracy, but that of an authoritarian regime like Venezuela… 1/3 https://t.co/vT74lCgOZh
— Rep. Yvette Herrell (@RepHerrell) February 19, 2022
“Just as we provide asylum for political prisoners, we should do the same for truckers who have been subjected to violence, had their property confiscated, and their bank accounts frozen by a government that is quickly becoming the embarrassment of the free world,” she continued.
“I am introducing legislation that would temporarily grant asylum to innocent Canadian protesters who are being persecuted by their own government. We cannot be silent as our neighbors to the north are treated so badly,” the New Mexico Republican added.
I am introducing legislation that would temporarily grant asylum to innocent Canadian protesters who are being persecuted by their own government. We cannot be silent as our neighbors to the north are treated so badly. 3/3
— Rep. Yvette Herrell (@RepHerrell) February 19, 2022
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the country’s Emergencies Act to deal with the ongoing protest in Ottawa by tractor-trailer drivers and their supporters against the vaccine mandate.
On Friday, police began moving in to break up the weeks-long demonstrations, an action that turned violent on Saturday. More than 100 people were arrested and began towing trucks that had been blocking streets.
According to various video clips posted to social media, police on horseback were seen reportedly knocking over some protesters, while other clips showed officers tackling demonstrators, and at least in one case, an officer struck a person with his knee.
I am not able to eat anything from last 24 hours after watching this video. how can @JustinTrudeau attack his own country people. Justin Converted beautiful Canada into Banana Republic. #TrudeauDictatorshipMustGo pic.twitter.com/WWwgMN4OsV
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) February 19, 2022
“Remember this image. Remember what Trudeau did to Canada,” internet commentator Ian Miles Cheong wrote in a tweet along with a picture of two protesters, one next to a walking device, who had reportedly been knocked to the ground by police officers on horseback.
Video he posted appeared to confirm that. He wrote, “Trudeau is stamping out freedom. One trampled protester at a time,” adding, “Remember Ottawa.”
Trudeau is stamping out freedom. One trampled protester at a time.
Remember Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/dkA9GRV2A5
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 19, 2022
Ottawa police denied that anyone was trampled intentionally, claiming instead that a horse was spooked by demonstrators.
“We hear your concern for people on the ground after the horses dispersed a crowd,” Ottawa police tweeted. “Anyone who fell got up and walked away. We’re unaware of any injuries. A bicycle was thrown at the horse further down the line and caused the horse to trip. The horse was uninjured.”
Ezra Levant, the founder of the Canada-based Rebel News, remarked that no video has been posted online to substantiate the police claim. He added that police either were confused or willingly lied about the woman’s walking device.
“You’re liars. You said someone threw a bike at a horse. That’s a lie. It wasn’t a bike, your horse stomped on a woman with a mobility scooter,” Levant responded. “You didn’t disperse a crowd. You charged a group of unarmed civilians.”
You're liars. You said someone threw a bike at a horse. That's a lie. It wasn't a bike, your horse stomped on a woman with a mobility scooter.
You didn't disperse a crowd. You charged a group of unarmed civilians.
You belong in prison. You dirty, corrupt Trudeau thugs. https://t.co/OCg7GvG1aF
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) February 19, 2022
“You belong in prison. You dirty, corrupt Trudeau thugs,” he added.
Cheong also accused the police of lying.
“Ottawa Police lied. This was the elderly woman trampled by the horses,” he wrote on Twitter along with a video of the alleged elderly victim.
Trudeau supporters are falsely claiming the woman who was trampled by police horses in Ottawa threw a bicycle at the police, having spotted it in the video. It’s a wheeled walker for the handicapped and the elderly. pic.twitter.com/iOFpsXFY6m
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 19, 2022
Ottawa Police lied. This was the elderly woman trampled by the horses. pic.twitter.com/FGmPoSj9F9
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 19, 2022
“What happened today in Canada was worse than Hong Kong or Ukraine,” he said. “A Western, English-speaking nation turning weapons of war [on] peaceful protesters. Trampling their skulls. Today The Regime broke. They will not survive this. Canada will never be the same. Justin Trudeau will resign.”
What happened today in Canada was worse than Hong Kong or Ukraine.
A Western, English-speaking nation turning weapons of war peaceful protesters. Trampling their skulls.
Today The Regime broke.
They will not survive this.
Canada will never be the same.
Justin Trudeau will resign.— Benny (@bennyjohnson) February 19, 2022