While Saturday's blockade at the Pacific Highway border crossing has essentially disappeared, police remain near the border.
On Feb. 19 protesters gathered for part of the day to block the crossing and police shut down access to the border gates. However, by 8 p.m. most had departed the area, according to Surrey RCMP, though some have remained on the sidewalk.
As of noon on Feb. 20, webcams at the intersection of 176 Street and 8 Avenue, the major intersection before entering the South Surrey community of Douglas, shows police and protesters still active.
"The Pacific Highway border crossing is open to the public, but we would recommend that non-commercial traffic use Peace Arch Border," Surrey RCMP tell Vancouver is Awesome. "Checkpoints remain in place to monitor the situation and ensure the border remains accessible."
No arrests occurred on Feb. 19 at the blockade, though police are investigating "unlawful activity" from earlier in the day including intimidation and alleged assault of media workers covering the blockade.
At the time police officers needed to step in as protesters surrounded and verbally assaulted media reporting on the situation at the border.
"These kinds of acts of aggression and intimidation towards media, or any member of the public, are simply unacceptable," says Sgt. Elenore Sturko in a press release. "While it is not always safe for our officers to take immediate enforcement action at the time of the alleged offences based on the size of the crowd of protesters, these incidents will be fully investigated and could lead to subsequent arrests or charges."
