Live Updates: Trial continues for three alleged 'key participants' of Coutts blockade

The trial for three alleged organizers of the 2022 Coutts border blockade continues today in Lethbridge, Alberta. Much of last week's proceedings focused on the testimony of Crown witness and veteran RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz, who acted as a liaison between police and the protesters.

During cross-examination, the RCMP officer testified that there was no discernable leadership in the protest. As previously reported by Rebel News, the officer explained that he couldn't identify leaders of the demonstration at a popular gathering spot used by the protesters called Smuggler's Saloon.

Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and George Janzen are each facing up to 10 years in prison for their roles in the peaceful demonstration. Each of the men are being charged with mischief over $5000 for allegedly being leaders of the protest.

The Coutts blockade was an 18-day peaceful demonstration against government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions held at the border of Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana in early 2022.

Halting millions of dollars in trade and occurring concurrently with the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, the protest proved to be one of the most impactful Canada has seen in decades.

Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik is on the ground at the Lethbridge courthouse, providing independent reporting on the trial of three of the men charged by the RCMP at the Coutts blockade.

Follow along below for live updates from the trial:

I've been fortunate enough to have in-depth conversations with these men about what happened in Coutts and why they did what they did, and I'm blown away. Totally impressed. https://t.co/O9W5JUSdW1

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

I can't emphasize enough how much I admire Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk, and George Janzen. These men are totally convicted (not a pun), committed, and honorable. They've sacrificed a lot and continue to in defense of freedom for all of us and to do what What Is Right.

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

The entire exchange between the Coutts protesters and RCMP officers Mark Wielgosz and Chris Matechuk is congenial, calm, and professional. This moment relates to the Crown's central claim that the Coutts Three were leaders of the protest. https://t.co/s9MDNgWd3P

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

In a video recorded during the Coutts protest, RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz tells a group of protesters that protests usually have "a spokesperson", but in the Coutts demonstration, it seems as if "everyone here is in charge". This reflects decentralization of the protest.

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

The dispute between two groups of protesters at the Coutts blockade, with Alex Van Herk and George Janze. on opposing sides, over how to proceed connects to a central claim by the Crown that the Coutts Three constituted the protesters' leadership. https://t.co/mIhJKvGq4E

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz agrees w/George Janzen's defense lawyer Alan Honner that the video depicts a "heated debate" between Alex Van Herk and George Janzen - including and involving many other Coutts protesters - over ending or continuing the protest. https://t.co/KGVQVALjFW

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

In another Rebel News video clip played by both Crown and defense teams, defendants Alex Van Herk and George Janze are taking different positions over whether or not to vacate the protest while in the Smuggler's Saloon, an informal meeting place for the protesters.

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Crown witness and RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz continues his testimony in the Coutts Three trial, stating that the protest included separate factions. This connects to the prosecution's claim that the defendants held a leadership role over the protesters. https://t.co/mIhJKvGq4E pic.twitter.com/jb1mzvwk6r

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Lunch break now 'til 2 PM MT. https://t.co/KGVQVAKLQo

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz acknowledges that the RCMP damaged private property on private property when it disabled some excavators participating in the Coutts blockade/protest while being cross-examined by Michael Johnston, Alex Van Herk's lawyer. https://t.co/KGVQVALjFW

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Wielgosz testifies that there were several factions among the Coutts demonstrators, which he also stated in previous testimony. One of the Crown's central claims is that the Coutts Three defendants constituted the protesters' leadership with a degree of control over the group.

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Many of the demonstrators at Coutts - and many of their political/philosophical freedom-minded supporters around this part of southern Alberta - have Dutch backgrounds. It's something worth further exploration in terms of cultural influences on politics. https://t.co/mIhJKvGq4E

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Wielgosz testifies that he was aware of @ArturPawlowski1's presence at the Coutts protest on either January 29th or 30th, and that the pastor led a sermon and prayer with demonstrators. He adds that Artur's brother, Dawid, referred to him as "the Gestapo". https://t.co/KGVQVALjFW

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024

Coutts Three trial - Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk, George Janzen - resuming in minutes in Lethbridge, AB. Justice Keith Yamauchi just entered. Cross-examination of Crown witness RCMP officer Mark Wielgosz - who liased with the defendants during the protest - will continue.

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) April 8, 2024