A Republican congresswoman said on Saturday that she plans to introduce a bill that grants temporary asylum to anti-mandate protesters in Canada.
“Just as we provide asylum for political prisoners, we should do the same for truckers who have been subjected to violence, had their property confiscated, and their bank accounts frozen by a government that is quickly becoming the embarrassment of the free world,” Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) said in a statement.
“I am introducing legislation that would temporarily grant asylum to innocent Canadian protesters who are being persecuted by their own government. We cannot be silent as our neighbors to the north are treated so badly,” she added.
Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell, said 170 people were arrested between Friday and Saturday in connection with the protests, and multiple investigations had been launched because of weapons seizures, the Associated Press reported.
Republicans have supported the protests in Canada even though the standoff has hurt small businesses.
Some GOP lawmakers and allies in right-wing media have even called for similar protest in the US against COVID mandates even as some states are easing pandemic restrictions.
Capitol Police say they are aware of plans for a truck convoy to come to D.C. around the time of President Joe Biden’s first ‘State of the Union’ address.
“Law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region are aware of plans for a series of truck convoys arriving in Washington, DC around the time of the State of the Union. As with any demonstration, the USCP will facilitate lawful First Amendment activity,” Capitol Police said, according to The Hill.
“The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service and other allied agencies to include the DC National Guard,” the agency added.
