Law enforcement officers on Friday began an unprecedented operation to remove protesters and their trucks and cars that have been blockading streets in Canada's capital of Ottawa. Police continued to clear the streets and make arrests on Saturday.

Thousands of truckers participated in the so-called Freedom Convoy, fighting a Covid-19 mandate that requires all Canadian truckers crossing the US-Canadian border to be fully vaccinated or quarantine in their homes for two weeks when they return.

The first convoy descended on Ottawa on January 29, snarling traffic and honking often and loudly. In several other large Canadian cities and towns, protest crowds emerged over the first weekend of February with hundreds of trucks and thousands of protesters.

For almost a week, protesters blocked the Ambassador Bridge linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, severing a key trade route and dealing economic blows to both the United States and Canada.

A truck is towed away in front of Ottawa's Parliament Hill on February 19.
A truck is towed away in front of Ottawa's Parliament Hill on February 19.
Patrick Doyle/Reuters
Police clear downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Police clear downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Alex Kent/Getty Images
A protester's eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant fired by police on February 19.
A protester's eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant fired by police on February 19.
Alex Kent/Getty Images
People show their support for a trucker as he leaves downtown Ottawa on February 19.
People show their support for a trucker as he leaves downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Patrick Doyle/Reuters
A police officer watches as a truck leaves Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 18.
A police officer watches as a truck leaves Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 18.
Andrej Ivanov/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers form a line as they push back protesters on February 18.
Police officers form a line as they push back protesters on February 18.
Cole Burston/The Canadian Press/AP
Mounted police move in to disperse protesters on February 18.
Mounted police move in to disperse protesters on February 18.
Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP
A man prepares a truck for towing in Ottawa on February 18.
A man prepares a truck for towing in Ottawa on February 18.
Blair Gable/Reuters
A man is detained by police as protesters and supporters gather in downtown Ottawa on Thursday, February 17.
A man is detained by police as protesters and supporters gather in downtown Ottawa on Thursday, February 17.
Cole Burston/The Canadian Press/AP
From left, protest leaders Eddie Stewart Cornell, Vincent Gircys and Daniel Bulford attend a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 16.
From left, protest leaders Eddie Stewart Cornell, Vincent Gircys and Daniel Bulford attend a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 16.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A police officer holds up <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F02%2F16%2Famericas%2Fcanada-truckers-protest-wednesday%2Findex.html" target="_blank">a flyer that was being distributed to protesters</a> in Ottawa on February 16. Police said they may arrest anyone blocking streets or assisting someone who is doing so.
A police officer holds up a flyer that was being distributed to protesters in Ottawa on February 16. Police said they may arrest anyone blocking streets or assisting someone who is doing so.
Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP
Trucks and protesters block downtown streets near Canada's Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.
Trucks and protesters block downtown streets near Canada's Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A truck convoy departs Coutts, Alberta, after blocking the highway at the US border crossing on Tuesday, February 15.
A truck convoy departs Coutts, Alberta, after blocking the highway at the US border crossing on Tuesday, February 15.
Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press/AP
Truck drivers block traffic outside Canada's Parliament on Monday, February 14.
Truck drivers block traffic outside Canada's Parliament on Monday, February 14.
Ted Shaffrey/AP
Police gather to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Sunday, February 13. The Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing, reopened Sunday.
Police gather to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Sunday, February 13. The Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing, reopened Sunday.
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator stands atop a truck holding a Canadian flag during a protest outside the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
A demonstrator stands atop a truck holding a Canadian flag during a protest outside the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator lets off a firework during a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
A demonstrator lets off a firework during a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
Truck drivers and others protest Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa on February 12.
Truck drivers and others protest Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa on February 12.
Ted Shaffrey/AP
Protesters heading out of and into Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York, honk their horns as they head toward the Peace Bridge on February 12. One holds a bobblehead doll of former President Donald Trump out his window while stopped in traffic.
Protesters heading out of and into Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York, honk their horns as they head toward the Peace Bridge on February 12. One holds a bobblehead doll of former President Donald Trump out his window while stopped in traffic.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/AP
A demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Parliament on February 11. Canada's Ontario province declared a state of emergency over the trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and blocking trade with the United States.
A demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Parliament on February 11. Canada's Ontario province declared a state of emergency over the trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and blocking trade with the United States.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A protester wears Canadian flags on her head during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
A protester wears Canadian flags on her head during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
The Ambassador Bridge closing slowed supplies to US automakers. It also caused major traffic jams, such as this one, which diverted vehicles to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, on February 9.
The Ambassador Bridge closing slowed supplies to US automakers. It also caused major traffic jams, such as this one, which diverted vehicles to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, on February 9.
Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press/AP
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks moves through Toronto on February 5.
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks moves through Toronto on February 5.
Cole Burston/Getty Images
A protester walks to a demonstration in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 5.
A protester walks to a demonstration in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 5.
Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Counterprotesters gather at Terminal Avenue to block a convoy of protesters in Vancouver on February 5.
Counterprotesters gather at Terminal Avenue to block a convoy of protesters in Vancouver on February 5.
Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Supporters of the protesters pass by a honking truck near Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
Supporters of the protesters pass by a honking truck near Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
Cole Burston/Getty Images
A protester holds up a wanted poster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as protesters gather around Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
A protester holds up a wanted poster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as protesters gather around Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
Steve Russell/Toronto Star/Getty Images
Trucks parked in downtown Ottawa continue to protest Covid-19 mandates on February 4.
Trucks parked in downtown Ottawa continue to protest Covid-19 mandates on February 4.
Dave Chan/AFP/Getty Images
A protester requests that police let trucks come close to Queen's Park during a protest at the park to support the truckers and denounce the government's vaccination policy.
A protester requests that police let trucks come close to Queen's Park during a protest at the park to support the truckers and denounce the government's vaccination policy.
Arindam Shivaani/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Trucks from the so-called Freedom Convoy block downtown streets during a demonstration in Ottawa on February 3.
Trucks from the so-called Freedom Convoy block downtown streets during a demonstration in Ottawa on February 3.
David Kawai/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A protester stands with a Canadian flag in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
A protester stands with a Canadian flag in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Amru Salahuddien/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Lines of trucks block the US-Canada border during a demonstration in Coutts, Alberta, on February 2.
Lines of trucks block the US-Canada border during a demonstration in Coutts, Alberta, on February 2.
Gavin John/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Truck drivers and supporters protest in Ottawa on January 31.
Truck drivers and supporters protest in Ottawa on January 31.
Amru Salahuddien/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A child in Ottawa holds a sign comparing Covid-19 regulations to Nazi Germany on January 30.
A child in Ottawa holds a sign comparing Covid-19 regulations to Nazi Germany on January 30.
Alex Kent/Getty Images
Supporters arrive at Parliament Hill to protest on January 29. Hundreds of truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital.
Supporters arrive at Parliament Hill to protest on January 29. Hundreds of truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital.
Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters party as a firework explodes in front of Parliament Hill during a rally in Ottawa on January 29.
Protesters party as a firework explodes in front of Parliament Hill during a rally in Ottawa on January 29.
Alex Kent/Getty Images
A supporter of the Freedom Convoy protests Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on January 29.
A supporter of the Freedom Convoy protests Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on January 29.
Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images
A man holds a firework during a protest in Ottawa on January 29.
A man holds a firework during a protest in Ottawa on January 29.
Alex Kent/Getty Images
Supporters of the truckers gather near a highway overpass outside of Toronto on January 27.
Supporters of the truckers gather near a highway overpass outside of Toronto on January 27.
Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images