Officer Confirms Protesters Joined Convoy Voluntarily, Independent of Organizers’ Influence
An Ottawa police liaison officer testifying in the trial of Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, agreed on Nov. 1 that none of the protesters he communicated with, indicated they were participating in the Freedom Convoy because they were influenced by the high-profile organizers.
Acting Sgt. Jordan Blonde, who described himself as a “secondary” contact to Mr. Barber, confirmed as much when prompted with a question from defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who is representing Ms. Lich.
Defence lawyers began their cross-examination of Sgt. Blonde on Nov. 1, and he told the court there were multiple groups and factions attending the demonstrations.
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Sgt. Blonde said he believes that not all protesters had the same “wishes or desires,” but that they had the same “general reasoning” for demonstrating.
He described Mr. Barber as polite, and respectful, and “very amenable” to working with police, based on the interactions they had during the protests.
Lawyers have said they will not be able to complete their cross-examination of Sgt. Blonde, and two other liaison officers, until the judge makes a ruling on the admissibility of police documents.
Justice Heather Perkins-McVey ordered access on Oct. 31 to unredacted documents, which the Crown and Ottawa Police Service argue are covered by solicitor-client privilege, to determine whether they should be admitted as evidence in the trial.
Mr. Barber and Ms. Lich face multiple charges, including mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation in relation to the 2022 protests against COVID-19 public-health measures.
The Crown is seeking to prove that Ms. Lich and Mr. Barber exerted influence over protesters’ actions.
