Live Updates: Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich's trial continues
As one of the faces of the Freedom Convoy, Lich is facing up to 10 years behind bars for her role in the anti-mandate demonstrations.
The second day of the trial for Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, is underway in Ottawa. Lich faces charges including mischief, obstructing police, intimidation, and counselling others to commit mischief related to her involvement in the protests against COVID-19 restrictions.
Tamara Lich entering the Ottawa Courthouse for day 2 of her trial. Cameraman accidentally knocks over a bike and Tamara picks it up.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 6, 2023
She is facing multiple charges in relation to the Freedom Convoy.
More to come at https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/ainvgLOebR
Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik is inside the Ottawa courtroom for the trial of Lich and co-accused, Chris Barber, where he is providing live updates through X (formerly Twitter).
Day 2 of the Tamara Lich/Chris Barber trial is about to begin, we've all entered the courtroom. More witnesses for the prosecution and defense cross-examination expected. Many of Lich's and Barber's supporters are also here.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
Videographer Lincoln Jay is outside the courtroom to capture notable events.
Chris Barber enters the Ottawa Courtroom.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 6, 2023
Tamara Lich and Barber are on day 2 of their trial for charges stemming from the Freedom Convoy. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/RH1sS6z9ZB
One Crown witness, an Ottawa Police Service (OPS) incident commander, stated that the convoy's primary purpose was to oppose and address government COVID-19-related public health mandates after it was revealed yesterday that Lich and Barber are not on trial for their political beliefs.
OPS "incident commander" - the Crown's witness - acknowledges that his understanding of the Freedom Convoy's primary purpose was "opposition to government mandates [regarding COVID-19]" and their "impact" on Canadians. https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
It's further said that the protest exceeded OPS expectations as they grappled with finding a balance between the constitutionally protected right to protest and the reasonable impacts the city of Ottawa experienced as the demonstration grew.
Prosecution's witness - an OPS officer who oversaw local cops' response to the Freedom Convoy - said his role was to find "balance" between constitutional rights to demonstrate/assemble and "reasonable impacts on the city"; said the protest's size "far exceeded" his expectations.
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
The OPS "incident commander" responding to the convoy described how they coordinated with Gatineau police to shut down the bridges connecting Ottawa to Gatineau in order to prevent "swelling" in the capital's downtown core. Intentionally barring protesters from gathering went against the constitutionally protected right to assemble.
Lucas acknowledges that OPS coordinated w/Gatineau police to close interprovincial bridges linking Ottawa/Gatineau to prevent Quebecers from supporting the Freedom Convoy and "swelling the downtown core"; admitting that law enforcement drove gridlock.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
According to The Democracy Fund, the registered Canadian charity crowdfunding Lich's legal fees, the judge presiding over the trial is "strictly applying hearsay rules."
From our observations, the judge is strictly applying hearsay rules. This will not be like POEC where we heard testimony about assaults that the witness did not actually observe.
— The Democracy Fund (@TDF_Can) September 6, 2023
The OPS "incident commander" further stated that he was directed by superiors to not concede "one inch" to the Freedom Convoy protesters.
Inspector Lucas said he was directed by superiors that "not one inch" should be conceded to the Freedom Convoy, which essentially removed much of his discretion to negotiate with protesters, including a proposal to REDUCE the demonstration's "footprint".https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik described his key takeaways from the morning's proceedings.
Day 2 of the Tamara Lich and Chris Barber trial in Ottawa. Quick update from @rkraychik. Court is currently on lunch break. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/LyJbzqg8QR
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 6, 2023
OPS "incident commander" Lucas admitted that the Freedom Convoy protesters did not turn violent despite the prosecution's claim that the protest was "anything but peaceful". He also conceded that public safety was upheld.
Lucas said "no", when asked if Freedom Convoy demonstrators "turned violent" towards police officers by Chris Barber's lawyer, adding that "public safety" was upheld. This undermines the prosecution's claim that the protest was "anything but peaceful".https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 6, 2023
A full video recap of day one of the trial can be viewed below.
This page will be updated as proceedings continue.
- By Ezra Levant
Support Tamara's Legal Defense
The Democracy Fund, a Canadian charity, is supporting Tamara Lich by crowdfunding her legal bills. The cost of expert legal representation is $300,000, which Tamara, an ordinary mom and grandma from Medicine Hat, Alberta, cannot afford. But we have a secret weapon: Lawrence Greenspon, one of Ottawa's top lawyers, is on Tamara's side. Lawrence is accustomed to handling complex and serious cases, but his team is expensive — and they are worth every penny. If you can, please chip in to help cover Tamara's legal fees.
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