The protest by truckers that has paralysed Canada's capital Ottawa "has to stop," according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Some demonstrators' behaviour, which has apparently included destruction and racial insults, has astonished and horrified Canadians, according to Justin Trudeau.
Lorry drivers have been protesting the Covid vaccination regulations in Canada.
Their automobiles have clogged Ottawa's roads, prompting the city to proclaim a state of emergency.
Hundreds of lorries have been clogging the city centre for nearly two weeks, forcing many local businesses to close.
The continual blaring of air horns was also fraying residents' nerves. However, on Monday, they won a minor success when an Ottawa judge ordered the truckers to stop blasting their horns for ten days.
While the majority of the demonstration has been peaceful, Ottawa police have expressed concern about far-right groups' inflammatory speech during the rally. Nazi emblems were displayed and demonstrators danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial, in addition to reported racial and homophobic abuse.
More than 60 incidents, including suspected hate crimes and property damage, are being investigated by Ottawa police.
"I want to be very clear - we are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless," Mr Trudeau told MPs at an emergency debate in Canada's House of Commons on Monday.
"We won't give in to those who fly racist flags, we won't cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonour the memory of our veterans."
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced a state of emergency in the capital on Sunday, citing "out of control" protesters.
He requested that the federal government send an additional 1,800 police officers as well as a mediator to work with the demonstrators in order to "end this siege."
Mr Trudeau promised to deliver whatever the city requires, but did not specify what that would be. He ruled out sending the army to the city last week, saying such a move would require "very, very caution."
The "Freedom Convoy" began on January 9 in western Canada as truckers protested a new law requiring them to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to cross the US-Canada border. The protests have now evolved to encompass opposition to a slew of Covid-19 regulations as well as Mr Trudeau's government in general.
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Demonstrations have also taken place in Toronto and Vancouver, among other Canadian cities. Support rallies have taken place around the world, including in New Zealand's capital Wellington and Australia's capital Canberra.
Police in Ottawa seized "thousands of litres" of fuel cans and propane from truck drivers over the weekend, and warned that anyone spotted bringing supplies to them, including as food and toilet paper, may be jailed.
Some locals in Ottawa had complained that the police reaction had been inadequate, and that the weekend raid had come too late.
It was "completely wrong," according to one trucker, John Van Vleet, who told the BBC that there was "nothing but love, unity, and peace" during the protest.