Convoy Occupation's Politics Pose Unique Threat to Disabled People

The Maple, GABRIELLE PETERS, February 18, 2022
When the convoy-turned-occupation took hold of Ottawa, disabled people were uniquely impacted and faced particular risks. People who required support could no longer access it; streets were no longer being cleared of snow; and sidewalks had vehicles parked on them. Public space was overrun by those whose interpretation of “freedom” left no room for social responsibility to others and treats someone else’s choice to wear a mask as a provocation. Although police now appear to be moving in to clear the occupation, there are long-term implications stemming from what happened over the past three weeks. The Maple reached out to disabled people in Ottawa and Winnipeg, where convoy protests took place, to discuss the impact of these occupations on their lives and their thoughts about the situation.