(Ottawa) Benjamin Dichter told the Rouleau commission on Thursday that he helped coordinate and promote a cryptocurrency fundraiser for protesters who converged on Ottawa last winter.
Posted at 12:23 p.m.
Mr. Dichter told the Public Inquiry Committee on Thursday morning that he had traveled to the capital in January, at the invitation of Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the “freedom convoy”, to be spokesperson for the protesters.
The State of Emergency Commission is examining the Liberal government’s decision to invoke the Emergency Measures Acton February 14, in an effort to dislodge protesters who had occupied downtown Ottawa for nearly three weeks.
Mr. Dichter explained Thursday that he had come to Ottawa in order to remove the mandatory measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to spread a message of “peace, love, freedom and unity” .
He said he found himself in conflict with other convoy organizers over communication.
Two other protest organizers, Tamara Lich and James Bauder, are also scheduled to appear before the commission of inquiry, which is holding public hearings in Ottawa until November 25.
Mme Lich was responsible for creating one of the first online fundraisers. She quickly became one of the most visible leaders of the “freedom convoy”.
Mr. Bauder, for his part, created the “Canada Unity” group, which had participated in the development of the initial convoy plan.
Ottawa residents, business associations, government officials and police leaders have already testified before the commission. The public hearings will conclude with testimony from federal leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.