Convoy headed to Lethbridge, Alta., courthouse to support men charged in Coutts border blockade
CBC
Police in Lethbridge, Alta., are bracing for a convoy set to arrive in the city Friday morning to support three of the men charged in connection with border blockades and protests at the Coutts border crossing earlier this year.
Social media posts suggest several groups of supporters will arrive at the Lethbridge courthouse as protest organizer Marco Van Huigenbos, 32, – who is also a Fort Macleod, Alta., town councillor – as well as Alex Van Herk, 53, and George Janzen, 43, appear on charges of mischief over $5,000.
The men, alongside a dozen others, were charged after protesting pandemic-related government restrictions back in late January and February.
"Save the Coutts boys," reads a widely shared poster promoting the gathering on social media.
It goes on to say "Trudeau's government demands up to 10 years in prison for Coutts protesters … we need your support."
In an interview with CBC News, Van Huigenbos said he is expecting a large turnout.
"What started out as a call-out by friends and acquaintances of ours for a few hundred people has turned into something that could double or could be tenfold," he said.
"There's a lot of people to support us, but it's also to show support for what we stood for and for the individuals who are still held in remand … without bail pre-trial."
The groups are leaving from several locations in Manitoba and Alberta including Calgary, Fort Macleod, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler.
In a statement released Thursday night, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) said it is bracing for possible traffic congestion.
"A large crowd is expected to gather downtown in the area of the courthouse," said LPS.
"In anticipation of the arrival of a number of larger vehicles, police have identified several locations with available parking along the city's truck routes."
Fifteen people are facing charges connected to the Coutts border blockades which ran from Jan. 29 to Feb. 15.
On Feb. 14, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act, allowing for temporary powers to handle the ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.
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