News

Jul 31, 2023

'Rolling Thunder' motorcycle rally rerouted one block shy of National War Memorial

Billed as a salute to veterans, the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group rolled into downtown Ottawa on Saturday before it was abruptly rerouted and redirected about a block away from its reported

Billed as a salute to veterans, the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group rolled into downtown Ottawa on Saturday before it was abruptly rerouted and redirected about a block away from its reported destination: the National War Memorial.

Between 50 to 60 motorcycles rumbled along Elgin Street just before noon as a smattering of supporters lined the street, many holding anti-Trudeau flags and slogans reminiscent of those seen during the so-called convoy protest in 2022.

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“Welcome to Ottawa, brothers and sisters,” supporters shouted from Elgin Street as the rolling rally made its way towards the War Memorial.

The Rolling Thunder group had assembled at an Arnprior truck stop earlier in the day before making its way along Highway 417 and into downtown Ottawa along Elgin Street, where it was met with the small, but vocal group of supporters amid a heavy police presence.

Several supporters were left disappointed, however, when the police escort at the head of the motorcade made an abrupt U-turn at the Mackenzie King Bridge and Albert Street and directed all the traffic back southbound along Elgin Street.

The motorcycle group, according to route updates on its Facebook page, then rolled out on Highway 417 and to Highway 416, promptly leaving the city limits en route to a barbecue and a rock concert on private property — location undisclosed — somewhere south of Ottawa.

Posters advertising the motorcycle rally billed the event as “A salute to those who went before us.”

Organizer Neil Sheard said in a Facebook post Friday the rally was intended as a “ride around” the monument.

Due to road closures, however, the demonstration did not reach the National War Memorial.

Groups of tourists attending the memorial for the noon-hour changing of the guard ceremony barely took notice as the motorcycles rumbled past about a block south of them.

City officials had cautioned residents to be prepared this weekend for possible disruptions related to the rally.

Ottawa’s By-law and Regulatory Services said it would have officers on the streets to ensure all parking regulations were observed by residents and visitors.

All vehicles found in violation of parking restrictions were to be ticketed and/or towed.

By-law officers joined a large contingent of police, with dozens of officers seen on bicycles, in vehicles stationed along the memorial and on foot. A number of paddy wagons were parked along Slater Street, but they were not deployed.

The police presence quickly dissipated in the minutes following the rally and the full length of Elgin Street was re-opened to traffic.

In 2022, hundreds of motorcycles rolled through downtown Ottawa as part of a weekend-long rally hosted by a group called “Veterans for Freedom”.

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