Ottawa prepares for hundreds of motorcycles in ‘Rolling Thunder’ event

Parliament Hill has fencing set up and there is a heavy police presence in the downtown core as Ottawa prepares for a motorcycle rally today.

The “Rolling Thunder” group of nearly 500 bikers is expected to arrive in the capital this afternoon ahead of a gathering tomorrow morning at the National War Memorial and a rally on Parliament Hill.

Police said vehicles involved in the rally will not be allowed into a zone that includes the war memorial and Parliament or to stop along the route, but participants can walk through the area.

Organizers have not clearly said what they are protesting, but they did say they will be peacefully celebrating freedom.

The Rolling Thunder organization is partnered with multiple groups apparently linked to the “Freedom Convoy.”

A statement on the group’s website attributed to Sheard said they do not support “blockades, obstruction of police performing their duties, damage to property or hate and vitriol directed to the residents of Ottawa.”

The statement also encouraged supporters to follow the laws and said police will be held accountable in court for their actions during the event.

Residents who lived through three weeks of gridlock, noise and harassment in February are on alert, as is the city’s police chief.