Protesters snarl up Alberta border crossing for fifth day

The RCMP has called in additional officers to help with the blockade at the Coutts border crossing in Alberta as the protest enters its fifth day Wednesday, according to news reports. A convoy of semi-trucks, four-wheelers and farm equipment are parked on Highway 4 south of Lethbridge in support of the convoy to Ottawa with a goal to repeal a federal vaccination mandate for truckers, among other demands.

The numbers of vehicles in the blockade have reduced after police said they would be making arrests, with about 100 vehicles jamming the border crossing. "Alberta RCMP are aware of other blockades that have appeared in the immediate surrounding area of the Coutts border crossing.

These blockades will be monitored with the full support of other Alberta law enforcement agencies," the Mounties tweeted. RCMP officers were getting ready to make arrests on Tuesday but backed off due to safety concerns. A group of vehicles breached a police roadblock and created a secondary blockade on the highway.

Reports state that a group of protesters went to the home of Coutts' mayor Jim Willetts and took photographs through the windows. The Mounties have said they are not able confirm allegations made by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney on Tuesday that protesters assaulted RCMP officers. Kenney's office said the premier "heard reports of violence that involved officers."

Truckers told Today's Trucking that they were stuck on the Montana side of the border for days, with some rerouting through other crossings to make their way home.

Some trucks are still stuck at the border and the Canadian Meat Council on Monday said there are more than 150 loads of Canadian beef stuck at the border and its members are going to have to slow down production if the blockade continues.