1 year after disrupting Alberta's border with the U.S., protesters return to Coutts — where wounds remain

As vehicles pulled into a meeting spot on the side of the highway south of Lethbridge, Alta., it was clear that this year's convoy protest gathering would be different. As people gathered to mark its one-year anniversary, they were greeted by two RCMP vehicles at the side of the road.

There was no missing the police vehicles scattered along the highway and the helicopter in the air, or the message: The event would be permitted, a large-scale disruption would not.

One year ago, Alberta RCMP had sent out a fairly innocuous media advisory warning of heavy congestion and slow-moving traffic near the border crossing at Coutts, Alta.

"This is expected to continue for an unknown period of time," it read.

From there, what started would develop into a 17-day blockade that officials called illegal.

That protest is still viewed differently depending on who's doing the talking. Those who participated in it say they found a community for their beliefs, which involve distrust around government and public health regulation, and distrust in the media.

Many residents of Coutts — a town of just over 200 people about 100 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge, on the border with Montana — share those points of view. Others — especially seniors who live in the village — don't. They feared how the massive protest engulfed their once-sleepy village.

What's clear, one year later, is that Coutts has yet to divorce itself from the event that it became notorious for even as many feel ready to move on.

"I think people just want to forget about it," said Kevin White, a local resident.

On this cold but clear Saturday, hundreds gather at the meeting point in what is obviously a sort of reunion; many recognize one another from the protests. Many honk their horns in support, while another individual knocks on windows and hands out stickers: "Protect free speech! No more government overreach." 

Twin brothers Russ and Rick Traber, who live in the area, spent a couple of days at the protest last year.

"We did go out to the blockade a couple times, just to show support," said Russ. "Yeah, wow, what a phenomenal event. Unfortunately, it ended on a real sour note."

Chris Carbert, Chris Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin were charged after RCMP found guns, body armour and ammunition in trailers at the protest. Each is accused of conspiring to murder RCMP officers; they are scheduled for trial in June.

Soon after the discovery of the guns, the protesters disbanded and left the site.