the border there each day. copycat protests in europe and around the world have sprung up in recent weeks with the supporters calling for an end to covid—19 restrictions. this is grassroots people with their children and grandparents and parents coming together and saying my rights and my freedoms are being infringed and denied here. drop the band—aids, we go home. 15 minutes we are gone. facing growing pressure from the white house and at home, the prime ministerjustin trudeau made this vow on friday. so make no mistake, the border cannot and will not remain closed. but despite efforts to get dug in protesters to leave, demonstrations continue nationwide. protests in ottawa are entering their third weekend now with demonstrators and their trucks continuing to block much of the city centre. government officials are meeting to discuss these ongoing protests, but for the moment, there is no clear end in sight. jessica murphy, bbc news, 0ttawa.