At the Sept 22 public hearing, Andrea, who lives near Centretown, shared her experience of the convoy. Excerpts from her presentation follow.
“During the occupation, I never knew what was in those trucks. We didn’t know at the time how it was going to end. Were there materials in those trucks that could hurt somebody? I don’t know and the things we didn’t know at the time I still don’t know and maybe we’ll never know. Not knowing what was in the trucks created the fear that innocent Ottawa residents could be hurt indiscriminately.
For me, the constant fear was the worst thing about the convoy, jolting awake at night with the slightest sound even though my neighbourhood was relatively quiet and peaceful. A pounding heart whenever I saw an ambulance or heard a police siren, a sinking feeling on the weekends seeing more trucks arrive. Trucks containing what? Maybe food for the truckers that were already here, maybe snow shovels, maybe a bouncy castle for the kids or could it have been something else. If there were any assurances given after the fact, that nothing sinister was planned, that does not alter the fact that for weeks there was this sense of intimidation. The convoy members that I encountered did not earn my trust that they had love in their hearts for me. Their behaviour was their message not the phony words of love I heard from them on Wellington Street.”
You can view the full testimony here.
