What is the Current Status of the Trial for Freedom Convoy Organizers?

August 21, 2024 TruthUSA

The trial for Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, initially scheduled to last 16 days, has now spanned over a year and is finally nearing its conclusion.

Closing arguments in the trial resumed on Aug. 13 and have continued this week.

Barber and Lich played pivotal roles in organizing the Freedom Convoy protest in early 2022, a demonstration prompted by pandemic-related restrictions and vaccine mandates, resulting in a large gathering of trucks in downtown Ottawa protesting these measures.

The federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14, 2022, for the first time to end the protest, leading to the arrests of Lich and Barber on Feb. 17. They were charged with various offenses including mischief, intimidation, and counseling others to break the law.

Crown attorneys argue that the evidence against the pair is overwhelming.

Defense lawyers, on the contrary, argue that there is little proof of criminal intent from Lich and Barber throughout the protest and that they did not collaborate closely in organizing and directing the protesters in Ottawa.

Lich’s defense team is expected to continue their final arguments on Aug. 23, with Justice Heather Perkins-McVey having up to six months to deliver a verdict after the closing submissions are completed.