(Ottawa) William Komer came out of the “embassy” wearing a crown, wearing a red cape, and doused journalists with a water gun. The occupation of the old church is still ongoing, he said.
Posted at 12:43 p.m.
He and his associates of the movement The United People of Canada (TUPOC) had hammered it last week: no question of submitting to the eviction order to which they are subject for non-payment of the rent of the former St. Brigid’s Church.
This was to be performed at midnight one Thursday, but the group did not leave the Lower Town heritage building. And William Komer took pleasure in taunting the media representatives who were there at the start of the day, as shown in images shot by CTV News.
“The police were called [et] charges could be filed,” he said, armed with a water gun.
A bailiff has made several visits over the past few days to increase pressure on the group, linked to the “freedom convoy” that paralyzed downtown Ottawa for three weeks last winter. His efforts have so far been in vain.
The presence of TUPOC members is an irritant for many residents of this downtown Ottawa neighborhood, located not far from Parliament Hill. It is feared that this is a way for the convoy to take root in the federal capital.
The organization swears the $10,000 monthly rent was paid to the owner of the church that was converted into an Irish community center in 2017 — its basement houses a bar — and which was put back on the market at a sale price of 5.95 million.
On Tuesday, TUPOC’s Facebook page posted a photo of William Komer sitting in a chair in front of a doorway to the former place of worship.
He is introduced there as “Lord William of Lower Town, allegedly long-lost nephew of Lord Buckethead, of a long line of Lords of Intergalactic Space, Guardian of Comedy and Shepherd of Haters”.