Police in Windsor, Ont., began clearing protesters obstructing the Ambassador Bridge on Saturday, even as protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and quarantines continued in Ottawa and other cities across the country.

In a tweet on Saturday morning, the Windsor Police Service said, “We urge all protesters to act lawfully and peacefully. Commuters are still asked to avoid areas affected by protests at this time.

North America’s busiest land border crossing, the Ambassador Bridge, had no traffic for a fifth straight day Saturday morning. Dozens of trucks, cars, pickups and vans blocked traffic in both directions, choking the supply chain of Detroit automakers.

Police in black uniforms with yellow vests were seen moving behind protesters’ cars on the bridge. Tactical teams and snipers were also present.

The number of demonstrators had fallen from around 200 on Friday evening to barely two dozen by early Saturday.

Protesters closest to the bridge were seen peacefully retreating. Several were seen tearing down tents and packing barbecues.

However, some still do not want to leave. They are either in trucks or on foot, carrying Canadian flags and sometimes shouting “freedom”.

“Let’s go Windsor,” a supporter called out on a channel on a messaging app used by protesters. “Hold that line.”

The police maintain a strong presence at the entrance to the bridge.

Hours into the process, Windsor Police tweeted a warning for protesters still in the protest area.

2:47
Ambassador Bridge protesters defy as injunction to lift blockade is granted

“Law enforcement continues, individuals in the protest area are subject to arrest. People are advised to leave the area immediately,” the tweet read.

Negotiators were seen trying to convince protesters to back down. “You will be arrested,” they warned.

On Saturday afternoon, the police slowly began to intervene on the demonstrators. They have been seen telling them to drive away and stop blocking traffic or else they will be charged with mischief or having their vehicles towed.

“We are opening this intersection to traffic. If you don’t follow our instructions, you will be arrested,” police told the crowd over a loudspeaker.

Some protesters continued to yell at the officers and hold their ground.

Two RCMP armored vehicles were spotted at the scene and some RCMP officers carrying firearms were on standby.

In a decision late Friday afternoon, a judge gave protesters until 7 p.m. to withdraw, although crowds continued to grow after that time.

“The activities that are the subject of this injunction, the freedom that they want directly leads to the denial of freedom of others in society. The direct denial of their freedom to work. The direct denial of their freedom to cross and move goods and services across the bridge,” Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz said before issuing his ruling.

On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a state of emergency in the province in response to the blockade of Windsor and another protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill for nearly two weeks. .

Ford said it would issue orders making it “clear” that it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.

On Friday evening, Windsor police handed out flyers warning protesters that Ontario’s state of emergency will come into effect at midnight.

It is “unlawful and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure,” the leaflet read.

The so-called “Freedom Convoy,” launched by a group of people opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine and quarantine mandates for cross-border drivers, arrived in Ottawa on January 28.

The protests entered a 16th day on Saturday, inspiring similar convoys across the country, as well as demonstrations in the United States, France, New Zealand and Australia.

In Paris, French police fired tear gas at protesters on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées on Saturday shortly after a convoy carrying protesters against COVID-19 restrictions entered the capital.

Protests inside Canada have spread to three border points: the Ambassador Bridge — obstructing trade between the United States and Canada — and two smaller crossings in Alberta and Manitoba.

3:01
Trucker protests: Ottawa sees protests enter 3rd weekend amid Ontario state of emergency

More protests took place on Saturday as people gathered in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for a weekend protest. Local police have been posted at the entrances to the city to ensure the flow of traffic.

Toronto is also preparing for a second weekend of protests. Police extended road closures to the city center and warned the public to expect delays and to ‘consider alternate routes’.

A convoy of motorists in the United States plans to head to the Port Huron, Michigan, waterfront to support protesters in Canada. Another US group said two separate vehicle convoys will converge this weekend at the Peace Bridge, another US-Canada border crossing in Buffalo, NY.

– with files from Global News Sean O’Shea and Reuters