The trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber continues on day 18 today in Ottawa. As two of the most prominent faces of the Freedom Convoy, Lich and co-accused Chris Barber are facing charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation. The Freedom Convoy demonstrations drew thousands of Canadians to Ottawa in early 2022 in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions.

Day 18 of the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Follow @rkraychik for live updates from inside the Ottawa Courthouse.

Stay updated at https://t.co/52zo5bl5zZ pic.twitter.com/qZQsyexCM6

— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) October 17, 2023

Watch a full recap of day 17 of the trial:

Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik is once again reporting from inside the Ottawa courthouse and will be providing live updates. Videographer Lincoln Jay is also on the scene to cover all of the reactions and commentary from outside the courthouse.

Follow along below:

Day 18 Tamara Lich and Chris Barber trial update from @rkraychik: Today's Crown witness says blocking motorists from joining the Freedom Convoy was "something meaningful" during a "god-awful" time. The courthouse was evacuated due to a fire alarm. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/b5MTr4oh2X

— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) October 17, 2023

This Crown witness's testimony mirrors the impression/experience I've heard from countless Freedom Convoy participants, and is one I share, yet is coming from the other side. Blocking motorists from heading downtown was "meaningful" and rewarding for him.https://t.co/sbgdWWMJu3

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

The same witness said yesterday that he and his partner suffered "food insecurity" due to the Freedom Convoy. "We both cried multiple times," he added. https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

"I had never reached a level of desperation as I had that weekend", the witness says of his participation in a counterprotest opposed to the Freedom Convoy due to the despair from to the harms he said the protest caused him and his partner.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

The counterprotest against the Freedom Convoy sought to "limit the number of people who were harming us in our home" by blocking traffic heading downtown towards the Freedom Convoy, the witness says.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

The witness says the counterprotest against the Freedom Convoy allowed him to "[connect] with fellow Centretown residents"; counterprotesters shared stories of being "accosted"/"harassed" by protesters; "knowing that we were not alone" provided comfort.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

"I am a bureaucrat," the witness says, and "not a particularly adventurous person". He says the counterprotest seeking to block motorists from joining the Freedom Convoy was "something meaningful" during the "god-awful period" of the demonstration.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023

Chris Barber/Tamara Lich trial day 18; a witness for the Crown - an Ottawa resident and government worker - says he took part in a counterprotest blocking traffic to restrict access to motorists seeking to join the Freedom Convoy in downtown Ottawa.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA

— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) October 17, 2023