Cold War-era East Berlin had armed checkpoints — now Ottawa does too.

It has already been nicknamed Checkpoint Trudeau.

Actually, like Cold War East Berlin, there may be need for many checkpoint names.

“The secured area includes almost 100 checkpoints that will have police presence to ensure that those seeking entry to that secure area for a unlawful reason, such as joining a protest, cannot enter the downtown core,” acting Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said Thursday.

Canada’s capital, operating under the Emergencies Act, now has ‘no go zones” similar to a police state. Authorities set up checkpoints with armed police officers in downtown Ottawa on Thursday — from Highway 417 (Queensway) to Parliament Hill, where dozens of trucks have been parked for three weeks.

To get through the Berlin Wall under communism, people had to go through entry points known as Checkpoint Alpha, Checkpoint Bravo and, of course, Checkpoint Charlie. Now to get into through Ottawa’s police manned border points, people must produce papers to prove they live in the area or have a reason to be there.

“It’s surreal,” said witness Herbert Hildebrandt. “I feel like I am on the wrong side of the wall in Berlin in 1989.”

But this is Canada.

Police on Guard, which has about 100 current and retired police officers in Ottawa in protest, said in a statement, “Chief Bell, advising his officers will be setting up and conducting many checkpoints within the city to restrict movement in or out, is in our view, a breach of section 6 of the Charter.”

Meanwhile, like in Berlin, people were already finding ways to breach Ottawa’s new wall.

“I told them I ordered a shawarma at a place down the street and was going to pick it up,” said one protester. “They let me go this time but I fear for the Family Day long weekend with so many people planning to come in to the city to protest.”

But interim Chief Bell has indicated people are not allowed to come into the city.

“We continue to advise demonstrators not to enter Ottawa, and to go home,” said Ottawa Police in a tweet.

If they don’t, under the Emergencies Act, police can arrest people and seize vehicles. But truckers are not worried. “It’s all smoke and mirrors,” said Niagara-area trucker Harold Jonker, who drove the first truck in to the protest and plans to be the last truck to leave. “We are not doing anything wrong and they know that.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who enflamed this crisis by using words like “fringe” and “tin foil hats” to describe truckers and supporters, does not agree.

“The ongoing blockades and occupations are illegal,” Trudeau tweeted. “They’re a threat to our economy, supply chains, and trade. They’re a threat to public safety. And most importantly, they’re a threat to communities, businesses, jobs, and people. They need to end.”

As of Thursday night, at least six arrests had been made, including outspoken ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Tamara Lich. But trucker and spokesperson Benjamin Dichter said checkpoints or martial law won’t end the protest.

“It’s very simple,” he said. “Once the vaccine mandates are all lifted, people will go home.”

But in his first public appearance after replacing departed Chief Peter Sloly, Bell promised “action is imminent.” “It’s time to go,” the Chief said. “Your time in our city has come to an end and you must leave.”