Truck drivers who have been blockading downtown Ottawa for six days have said they have no intention of leaving the Canadian capital until the government lifts mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, Reuters reports.

Despite growing complaints from residents about noise, pollution and the violent behavior of some truckers, Ottawa police refused to disperse the protest, citing the risk of escalating tensions.

The demonstration began as an attempt to force Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government to refuse to vaccinate truckers arriving from overseas. It has since evolved into a more populist anti-Trudeau movement.

Trudeau on Monday said that Canadians are disgusted by the behavior of some of the protesters.

The inaction of the police in Ottawa, some of whom posed for selfies with demonstrators, contrasts with more assertive action by authorities in western Alberta.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police advanced on Tuesday against truckers blockading the US border in Coutts, but pulled back after clashes with some drivers.