Trial for 'Freedom Convoy' organizers not about their political beliefs, Crown says
CTV
A Crown prosecutor said Tuesday 'Freedom Convoy' organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are not trial for their political beliefs, but for the means they used to achieve their goal.
A Crown prosecutor said Tuesday 'Freedom Convoy' organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are not trial for their political beliefs, but for the means they used to achieve their goal.
Tim Radcliffe delivered his opening statement as the pair's trial got underway at a courthouse in Ottawa, nearly 20 months after police moved in and dislodged hundreds of trucks and other vehicles that entrenched themselves around the streets of Parliament Hill for three weeks in winter 2022.
Lich and Barber are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police.
Radcliffe said the Crown intends to demonstrate using 50 videos they filmed that shows they were key organizers of the movement that led to an "occupation" around downtown Ottawa
Lawyers for the accused disputed the use of the term "occupation."
Radcliffe said Lich and Barber wanted the protest to bring an end to all COVID-19 public health orders but told the court the case is not about their "political views."
