The police arrested scores of demonstrators and towed away vehicles in Canada’s besieged capital, and a stream of trucks started leaving under the pressure, raising authorities’ hopes for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s Covid-19 restrictions. At least 100 people have been arrested, mostly on mischief charges, and nearly two dozen vehicles had been towed, including all of those blocking one of the city’s major streets. One officer had a minor injury, but no protesters were hurt, interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said.

Police “continue to push forward to take control of our streets,” he said, adding, “We will work day and night until this is completed.” Those arrested included four protest leaders. One received bail, while the others remained jailed. The crackdown on the self-styled Freedom Convoy began when hundreds of police, some in riot gear and some carrying automatic weapons, descended into the protest zone and started leading demonstrators away in handcuffs through the snowy streets. Tow truck operators arrived under police escort and started removing the hundreds of big rigs, and other vehicles parked shoulder-to-shoulder near Parliament. Police smashed through the door of at least one RV camper before hauling it away.