Tow trucks with their identifying decals removed or masked were towing vehicles that were blocking the roads.
Pat King one of the organizers, threatened to retaliate against tow truck operators working with police.
Protest organizers said they had asked trucks to withdraw because of what they called heavy-handed police tactics. And many trucks did exit the downtown core on Saturday. At least fifty-three vehicles have been towed, police said.
The protest organizers said protesters had been “horse-trampled” on Friday, which police deny.
“We hear your concern for people on the ground after the horses dispersed a crowd. Anyone who fell got up and walked away. We’re unaware of any injuries,” police said on Twitter.
Police dispersed the main portion of the blockade in front of parliament and the prime minister’s office.
City crews are now cleaning up and towing away remaining vehicles, Chief Bell told a news conference. And other parts of the city had yet to be cleared. So, there is still a risk that demonstrators might change location, he said.
Leaders arrested in Canadian protests
On Monday, Trudeau resorted to the emergency powers acts to give his government wider authority to stop the protests. And he authorized banks and financial institutions to temporarily freeze the accounts of those suspected of supporting the blockades, without obtaining a court order.
