Canadian police start arresting protesters to end blockade

OTTAWA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Canadian police on Friday started arresting protesters as part of an operation to end a three-week blockade of Ottawa by hundreds of truck drivers that crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers.  

Live television footage showed police making at least eight arrests, without using any force. Officers had detained two of the protest leaders late on Thursday.  

“Some protesters are surrendering and are being arrested. We ask protesters to remain peaceful and lawful,” the Ottawa police said in a tweet.  

Hundreds of police could be seen in central Ottawa, which received more than 8 inches (20 cm) of snow overnight, as temperatures with wind chill hovered around -23 Celsius (-9.4 Fahrenheit).  

At least one BearCat, a military-style armored vehicle, could be seen. Police say the operation will take days.  
The protesters initially wanted an end to cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers but the blockade gradually turned into an anti-government and anti-Trudeau demonstration. Some want Trudeau to be ousted.