Convoy protesters seeking food accused of harassing Ottawa soup kitchen staff

The staff and volunteers at an Ottawa homeless shelter say they were harassed by members of the truck convoy protesters on Saturday who were demanding meals from the shelter’s soup kitchen.

The Shepherds of Good Hope homeless shelter took to social media to share their experience with some of the demonstrators who descended on the nation’s capital to protest Justin Trudeau and his government’s imposition of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

“Earlier today, our staff and volunteers experienced harassment from convoy protestors (sic) seeking meals from our soup kitchen,” Shepherds of Good Hope tweeted late Saturday night. “The individuals were given meals to diffuse the conflict. Management was then informed of the issue and no further meals were given to protesters.

“Our soup kitchen is committed to providing meals to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in Ottawa. This weekend’s events have caused significant strain to our operations at an already difficult time.”

Shepherd of Good Hope releases a statement about the harassment its staff faced form protesters.
It also thanks Canadians for the outpouring of support and donations #cdnpoli https://t.co/8YE6qXLAFA

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 30, 2022

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The so-called ‘freedom rally’ drew thousands of people to Ottawa’s downtown core for a large protest at Parliament Hill.

While the protest was largely peaceful, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson denounced the actions of the demonstrators seeking meals at Shepherds of Good Hope.

“Completely unacceptable behaviour by these convoy members,” he tweeted Sunday morning. “Harassing volunteers and staff at a homeless shelter is a new low and severely damages the credibility of these protesters.

“Where are the organizers to denounce these outrageous actions?”

Completely unacceptable behaviour by these convoy members. Harassing volunteers and staff at a homeless shelter is a new low and severely damages the credibility of these protesters. Where are the organizers to denounce these outrageous actions?

— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) January 30, 2022

At least one local business rallied around Shepherds of Good Hope after the incident.

Spark Beer, a brewery in Chinatown, announced on social media it would be donating proceeds of sales on Sunday, January 30 to the shelter, calling them “our amazing downtown neighbours.”