Demonstrations in Ottawa | Organizer Tamara Lich challenges her release conditions

(Ottawa) Tamara Lich is appealing her bail conditions while she awaits trial on charges related to her role in organizing the protests that paralyzed downtown Ottawa for several weeks, in February.

Diane Magas, a lawyer representing M^me Lich, appealed the terms, including restrictions on social media use, in an Ontario court.

The Justice Center for Constitutional Liberties, which is collaborating with the defense, says the court-imposed conditions violate guarantees of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

The organization says the ban on M^me Lich to express himself on social media, including commenting on health measures related to COVID-19, has no “rational connection” to a risk to public safety or the commission of other offenses .

Tamara Lich, 49, of Medicine Hat, Alta., was arrested Feb. 17 in Ottawa. She has since been charged with, among other things, committing mischief and counseling others to commit mischief.

On February 22, Judge Julie Bourgeois of the Ontario Court refused to grant him bail, “for the protection and safety of the public”.

Mr.’s lawyer^me Lich then challenged this decision in Superior Court. In particular, he questioned the impartiality of Judge Bourgeois, who had been a Liberal candidate in the 2011 federal election and who said her own community had been affected by the demonstrations in Ottawa.

Judge John M. Johnston, of the Superior Court, did not recognize any basis for this thesis of bias, but he found several errors of law in Judge Bourgeois’ decision. He further concludes that the risk associated with the release of M^me Lich, raised by the judge, could be reduced by the new bail suggested by the defense.

Judge Johnston eventually freed M^me Lich on March 7 against $25,000 bond and several conditions, including a social media ban. M^me Lich also had to promise to leave Ottawa within 24 hours and the province within 72 hours.

It must also have no involvement in protests against COVID-19 or compulsory vaccination. Additionally, she cannot have any contact with at least 10 other people involved in the “freedom convoy”, including Pat King, Tom Marazzo, Benjamin Dichter, Daniel Bulford, Tyson George Billings, Christopher Barber, Owen Swiderski, Byron Carr , James Bauder and Kerry Komix.

This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchanges and The Canadian Press for the news.