Milk River and Coutts rallies over the weekend

Alberta RCMP say they have arrested 13 people and confiscated a number of firearms near the rally at the Coutts border. Police say a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest was apparently going to use force against the RCMP if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.

In addition to the 13 who were taken into custody, police also seized 13 long guns, handguns, body armor, a machete and a large quantity of ammunition. Police also say a large tractor and semi truck attempted to ram a police vehicle over the weekend. The officer was able to avoid the collision. RCMP followed these individuals to a location where protesters were gathered. The driver of the tractor was identified. The tractor and truck have been seized.

Those who were protesting government mandates have now left the Coutts Border crossing.

Bridge City News video journalist, Jeannette Rocher, was at the Coutts border crossing over the weekend while the border was still closed and the rally was still in full swing. As she made her way past the rally on Highway 4 to the village of Coutts, she was surprised to find a number of U.S. citizens standing on the opposite side of a plastic fence which acts as the international boundary. Many of them had driven five or six hours from other parts of Montana to show their support for Canadians. One woman who served in the U.S. military for four years says, “I know what it’s like to fight for your freedom, and I believe everybody deserves freedom.”

Aired: Monday, February 14, 2022