Ottawa police arrest seven people, tow 24 vehicles at Rolling Thunder freedom rally

Ottawa police on Friday made seven arrests and towed 24 vehicles from the "Rolling Thunder" freedom rally as tensions mounted between police and protestors.

The leaders of the protest have said they want a 100-percent peaceful rally, to treat the public with respect, and to refrain from any forms of violence.

Protestors were expected to help de-escalate any altercations and "maintain sobriety." A member of the board of directors must answer for all attendees, what they say and do, and any flags that might be present.

Controversial Canadian anti-lockdown and anti-mask activists Chris Saccoccia, referred to widely as Chris Sky, was listed as one of the speakers on the event. Event organizer Neil Sheard said the information is false.

"(Sky) is not a feature in this," Sheard said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa. "He’s got nothing to do with this."

Sheard said the group was protesting what they called the desecration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Freedom Convoy protests in February. This happened after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb 14.

Despite organizers' efforts, a pushing match broke out between police and demonstrators, who were on foot due to banned vehicles.

CBC reporter Ashley Burke was on the scene and spotted MP Martin Shields (C) in the crowd.  When she asked him for an interview, Shields responded "there was no chance in hell" of that happening.