Four people were arrested in downtown Ottawa Thursday evening, as thousands of people began arriving in the Canadian capital Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations.

Ottawa police said their officers responded to a “chaos situation” on Wellington Street and the Elgin Street area, where there was an “assault on officers.”

Local media said that people who participated in the event were arrested at the National War Memorial, where some gathered to welcome Canadian Forces veteran James Topp after the Freedom Convoy. which was dispersed in February after the federal government declared a state of emergency.

Ottawa police said late Thursday evening that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

 They said on Twitter, “We are reviewing the video and investigating the incident that occurred at the National War Memorial this evening.”

Adding, “The preliminary investigation found that the interaction with officers became confrontational and one police officer was assaulted, with other officers immediately responding, and four people were arrested.”

Looks at those alt-rights in Ottawa literally lunging at the police! Even putting one into a choke hold! Where they hoping only their edited video would see the light of day?#FreeDumbConvoy #Ottawa #FreedomConvoy #CanadaDay pic.twitter.com/FJdsqB3zNC

— Underhills (@UnderhillS13) July 1, 2022

Meanwhile, the interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell said, “There will be a safe environment during the national day celebrations, and that is why we are here to ensure that.”

It is worth mentioning that tens of thousands of people are expected to visit downtown Ottawa to participate in Canada Day celebrations or visit restaurants and attractions throughout the downtown core. Several protests were planned in downtown Ottawa on Thursday and Friday.

Bell said Ottawa police and their partner law enforcement agencies are prepared for anything.

Explaining: “The event will be large, as it is expected that there will be more than 100,000 people in and around this area.” 

Adding, “Among those citizens wishing to participate in the national celebrations will be those who are legally permitted to participate in protests, and that’s what we planned for and are ready for any possibility ahead.”

We are reviewing video and investigating the incident at the National War Memorial this evening.
The initial investigation finds that an interaction with officers became confrontational and 1 officer was choked. Other officers immediately responded, 4 people were arrested

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) July 1, 2022

It is worth mentioning that officers from Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Ottawa Municipal Police forces were deployed to assist Ottawa police.

A vehicle control zone was established from Colonel By Drive / Sussex Drive E on the east, Booth Dr. W on the west, Wellington Dr. N on the north, and Laurie Dr. E on the east, along with Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

 The interim police chief confirmed that officers are vigilant about what is to come, attempting to maintain the natural flow of traffic coming through the area."

Vehicles participating in any form of demonstration, event, or protest will not be allowed in the downtown area, nor will there be on-street parking or stopping on roads in the celebration area.

On the other hand, Bylaw enforcement said that since 8 a.m. Wednesday, officers issued 234 parking tickets and towed 59 vehicles located in the celebration area around the parliamentary area.

Officers also stopped a small convoy of vehicles Wednesday in the Pinecrest Road and Highway 417 area, where numerous violations were issued.

In an interview with local media in Ottawa Wednesday evening, interim police chief Steve Bell defended police measures to stop vehicles in the capital region.

Bell said: “We already have good legal grounds for the plans we put in place, as we know to make sure we operate within the law because that is very important as a police service.”

Explaining, “We are comfortable with the actions taken by our officers, and all this is done within the framework where we ensure public safety and can have the Canada Day celebrations as they should be without any problems or chaos.”