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Bethan Nodwell from Chelsea, Quebec used to be head nurse at the Wakefield Hospital in Quebec.
But when vaccine mandates regarding COVID-19 got to be to much, she quit her job in August.
Nodwell is now with Adopt-A-Trucker and is part of the executive team in charge of the entertainment along Wellingston Street directly in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Speaking to Nodwell on Thursday, February 10, 2022 she said, “the mission of Adopt-A-Trucker is to provide the necessities of life while the truckers are here.”
Since arriving in Ottawa on January 29, Nodwell said, “we’ve been having the time of our lives.”
“It is an emergency, but the attitude of all the people has been extraordinary. There is such an incredible sense of joy, play, life that we’re having – it’s a freedom festival.”
Nodwell just wonders if the message coming from not only truckers, but Canadians is getting through to the Federal government.
“I feel that initially they didn’t understand when we said end all mandates. But I feel it’s taken them about a week to fully comprehend why we’re here.”
“We want to end all the mandates. We’re all finished with it.”
When asked about ties to white supremacist, Nodwell said, “if it is, we’re doing a terrible job at it.”
“It’s multi-racial.”
“But this is also what we’re finished with. We’re finished with the division. The division between the unvaccinated and the vaccinated, the division between races and sexualities – we’re done.”
“We’re all in this together. We will not be divided anymore.”
With other countries participating in the movement and what was started in Ottawa, news outlets are also coming to Ottawa from around the globe.
“We as Canadians have been the first – but we are not the last. The people now realize they are the holders of power.”
Fox News reporter Sara Carter and Jordan Klepper from the Daily Show were seen on Wellington Street covering the story.
Nodwell said they only way they will leave is to end the mandates.
“However, it’s not only that. We want systems in place where they can never pull a stunt like this again.”
“We look at this as a vote of non-confidence for Trudeau and it would be appropriate of him at this time to step down.”
Northumberland – Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence and the Conservative Party have also stated it’s time for the protest to end in Ottawa.
“Until the Conservatives actually provide us with results – we’re putting them on notice as well.”
“This isn’t their movement. This is not a Conservative movement. This is truly a movement of people of all walks of life of all political affiliations who are finished with the mandates.”
“So if the Conservatives say it’s time to go, have those mandates ended, make sure policies are in place where they are never repeated, get a vote of non-confidence for Trudeau and we’re out of here.”
With the Rideau Centre being closed since the start of the protest at least 1,500 people have been out of work, but Nodwell said, “any business that’s open right now will be a millionaire by the end of the month.”
“They are making money hand over fist.”
Nodwell said, it’s Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, “is creating obstacles for businesses to open. But those little business that are open – they are making a fortune.”
Toronto Sun reporter Joe Warmington was in Ottawa covering another story but stopped by the Freedom Convoy on Thursday.
“It’s overwhelming – it’s something I’ll never forget.”
“It’s not going anywhere.”
“The Prime Minister can’t ask the police to come in and take out his problem which would be all these people that are law abiding people that are protesting.”
“The way to get this to end is for the Prime Minister to acknowledge these are people, these are Canadians.”
Warmington said it’s time to open the Rideau Centre once again.
“I think they should give it a shot and open it again. If all these trucks can hang out in front of Parliament Hill, surely to God people can go get some lunch and hot chocolate at the Rideau Centre.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
