Large groups of police officers moved towards the protesters in downtown Ottawa today, Friday, and arrested more than 100 people so far - including prominent organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber, and Pat King - during violent clashes with protesters who refused to leave the area.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's interim police chief Steve Bell described the efforts against the protesters as "systematic" and "well-planned" during a press conference held Friday afternoon, praising the officers for maintaining control of the situation on the ground.
 

Bell said: "We will manage this operation 24 hours a day until residents and the community regain their city."

Throughout the day, the police urged protesters to leave, both on Twitter and over loudspeakers in the streets, warning of the "possibility of arresting anyone inside the illegal protest site."

As of Friday evening, the police reported arresting more than 100 people and towing at least 21 vehicles.

By evening, the situation heated up as the mounted police advanced towards protesters on Rideau Street.

The media witnessed unprecedented scenes in Canada where the police reportedly used what is believed to be pepper spray against protesters.

A protester claimed to have been struck by an officer.

Later, a number of mounted police attacked a large group of protesters facing police lines near the Senate in an apparent attempt to gather the crowd toward Wellington Street.

Many protesters ran, some shouting, "You are trampling us!".

On Twitter, Ottawa Police accused protesters of assaulting police officers and attempting to disarm them while the police confronted the protesters.

They said, "Protesters are assaulting officers and trying to disarm them."

Adding, "All means of de-escalation have been used to proceed with our goal of returning Ottawa to normalcy."