Convoy protesters start packing up after letter from Winnipeg police

Protesters atthe provincial legislature were starting to pack up Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the day,Winnipeg police delivered a letterto the protest organizerssayingall protest-related vehicles, trailers and tractors in the area of Broadway and Memorial Boulevard must leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Co-organizer Caleb Brown told CBC News that most of the self-proclaimed Winnipeg Freedom Convoy intendto comply with the letter, though some may move to Memorial Park.

The letter warns people that if protesters choose not to comply, they face the possibility of arrest and criminal chargessuch as mischief and intimidation, the release says.

The letter also says vehicles could be seized and turned over to the Crown.

Winnipeg city Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort-Rouge East Garry) said it's about time the protesters packed up and left the downtown area.

The protest started on Feb. 4.

"This feels like a longtime coming and I just hope the right things are done," Rollins said late Tuesday evening."It seems that the police have found the laws that they had all along and have an intention to enforce them [Wednesday]."

After the incessant honking and alleged incidents of harassment in her ward on behalf of the protesters, she is glad area residents will be able to head back to the downtown area in peace.

Rollinsbelieves a motion affirming the federal Emergencies Act inthe House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday played a role in the Winnipeg Police's decision to issue what amounts to an eviction notice.

"Despite what Winnipeg police said,they needed an Emergencies Act to start figuring out what the laws of the land are, including the municipal bylaws," she added.

Winnipeg police have said they will use the authority under the federal Emergencies Act to seize equipment and freeze the assets of any protesters still on site after Wednesday's deadline.