An Ontario choose has prolonged an order to maintain a busy worldwide bridge clear in Windsor, Ont.

Ontario Superior Courtroom Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz has granted an extension of an injunction that prohibits blocking entry to the Ambassador Bridge after his earlier order was set to run out Feb. 21.

Canada-bound visitors was blocked for every week on the bridge that connects Windsor with Detroit by protesters who oppose COVID-19 measures and vaccine mandates.

The town argued there was an imminent risk by protesters to dam the bridge once more.

“There’s a actual and current risk that the blockade will return,” mentioned Jennifer King, a lawyer representing town.

Police have been monitoring social media, King mentioned, and pointed to a number of posts afterward suggesting protesters wished to take again the bridge.

“Right this moment just isn’t a setback, right now is the start of a regroup,” one put up learn, in response to King.

“The warfare is way from over” one other put up learn.

She additionally mentioned police intercepted a small truck convoy some 250 kilometres from Windsor that was purportedly on its means from Ottawa to the Ambassador Bridge.

King argued that town’s personal bylaws proceed to be breached, thus necessitating an extension of the injunction till the courtroom deems it not needed.

The courtroom order additionally permits police to take away automobiles and every other object that impedes or blocks entry to the Ambassador Bridge.

A lawyer for the protesters, a part of a bunch referred to as the Residents of Freedom, argued the continuation of the injunction has questionable utility given visitors is flowing to and from the bridge.

“I submit that the chance, if any exists in any respect, is insignificant and disproportionate to the reduction being sought,” mentioned lawyer Antoine d’Ailly. “There’s actually no imminent risk.”

He mentioned there have been no breaches of the courtroom order since Monday. He mentioned there’s a heavy police presence alongside a five-kilometre stretch of the primary street resulting in the bridge, coupled with concrete obstacles stopping entry from aspect streets that additionally make the injunction pointless.

James Kitchen, one other lawyer for the group, argued the courtroom order was overly broad and infringed upon the precise to free expression and free meeting. He argued that sidewalks are public and the place protesters needs to be allowed to assemble.

Earlier Friday, town efficiently argued to grow to be the lead plaintiff within the case, which was initially delivered to courtroom by the Automotive Elements Producers’ Affiliation.