Ryan Mihilewicz at the Parliament building in Ottawa. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Human rights

Prince Albert man remains committed to stay in Ottawa for Freedom Convoy

Feb 7, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Ryan Mihilewicz has been in Ottawa just over a week for the Freedom Convoy, and maintains, despite some media reports indicating otherwise, the atmosphere for the anti-mandate protest remains peaceful.

Sunday night, Mihilewicz said local police tried to confiscate their fuel and claims two protestors were arrested without cause. Reports also surfaced over the weekend that local residents are pursuing a class action lawsuit, arguing the non-stop honking is causing irreparable harm. Mihilewicz explained the group has an agreement with police that they can honk their horns between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’ve been pretty strict on that and it’s been followed,” he said, adding there was also an agreement within the group that there be no horns between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, as a way to pay tribute to veterans.

He did however note there are still four wheelers driving around, honking their horns, who are not part of the crowd brought down there for the protest.

“So there’s been a lot of misinformation about us but we also have a lot of support from people that are here on the ground,” he said.

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When asked to elaborate on the local support he cited, Mihilewicz mentioned praise from local businesses and citizens that their washrooms and streets have never been cleaner.

And in response to past stories about confederate and Nazi flags being flown, and even protestors looting local homeless shelters, Mihilewicz attributed those as Liberal media tactics to discredit what the group is trying to accomplish and said they don’t represent the truth.

“We are actually feeding the homeless on the street. That’s what we are doing. The whole thing is a lie. I got death threats over that,” he said.

Acknowledging costs are high to be so far away from home, and frustrations over attempts to fundraise through GoFundMe, Mihilewicz maintained he will be there in Ottawa to the end. As one of the Saskatchewan contingent organizers, he explained he has done his best to encourage others to remain calm and peaceful.

“We didn’t come down her to start fights. This is not what this is about,” he said.

Back home, Premier Scott Moe has vowed to end all COVID-related restrictions in Saskatchewan, possibly by the end of the month. A further announcement on the timeline could be made on Tuesday.

“It should have been now but something is better than nothing. Hopefully he sticks to his guns,” Mihilewicz said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from the Canadian Press