The lengthy criminal trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two of the organizers of the 2022 Freedom Ride, is drawing to a close in Ottawa, as lawyers began presenting their closing arguments Tuesday morning.
The two co-accused were among many organizers who brought large numbers of protesters and trucks to Ottawa in 2022 to protest health restrictions and mandatory vaccination of cross-border truckers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their criminal trial, which began in September 2023, has faced numerous delays that have dragged out the proceedings for nearly a year.
Tamara Lich arrived at the Ottawa courthouse Tuesday morning to cheers from a small group of supporters chanting “Freedom!”
Mme Lich and Mr. Barber are both charged with mischief, intimidation and several counts related to counseling others to break the law.
Mr Barber is also accused of counselling others to breach a court order.
In its closing arguments, the Crown wants to demonstrate that the two accused conspired together to organize an illegal demonstration, and that the evidence against one should also apply to the other.
M’s lawyersme Lich and Mr. Barber have argued throughout the trial that organizing a protest is not an illegal activity in Canada and is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The court has scheduled three days to hear closing arguments from lawyers for both sides, plus several additional days next week in case the arguments are longer.
“We will have plenty of time to make sure we are done by next week,” Judge Heather Perkins-McVey said.