Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of Canada’s Freedom Convoy movement, was denied bail by an Ottawa judge on Tuesday, as reports claimed the judge “was not convinced” she would stay home.
Lich, an Alberta resident behind the $10 million crowdfunding project halted by GoFundMe, was arrested Thursday and charged with “counselling to commit mischief.” Lich’s bank account was also reportedly frozen.
BREAKING— #FreedomConvoy organizer Tamara Lich has been arrested by @OttawaPolice pic.twitter.com/cK9CadOPaR
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) February 18, 2022
On Tuesday, Lich appeared before Ontario Court Justice Julie Bourgeois, expecting to post bail and return home. Instead, her bail was denied.
“There is a substantial risk you will continue these actions and will not abide by an order,” the judge told Lich, according to Global News reporter David Akin.
“Your recent history in our city … satisfies me that your detention is necessary for the safety and protection of the public,” the judge added.
"There is a substantial risk you will continue these actions and will not abide by an order,” judge tells Lich. “Your recent history in our city … satisfies me that your detention is necessary for the safety and protection of the public."
— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) February 22, 2022
Another post noted the judge stating, “I found your testimony to be guarded and your attitude almost to be obstructive.”
The response appeared harsh, as Lich “has no criminal record and is ready to abide by conditions imposed on her by the court should she be released,” Global News chief political correspondent David Akin wrote on Twitter.
Lich, in court in Ottawa wearing a mask and her black ski jacket, has now spent five nights in jail in Ottawa. Court has heard she has no criminal record and is ready to abide by conditions imposed on her by the court should she be released.
— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) February 22, 2022
A conviction of mischief, depending on the context and fallout, can bring a prison sentence of up to 10 years, according to the report. Lich’s next court date is scheduled for March 2.
Fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber was reportedly released on Tuesday on a $100,000 bond.
For context on Lich bail hearing as judge renders decision. Co-convoy organizer Chris Barber was released on $100,000 bail with promises to return home to Swift Current SK and cease being a convoy organizer.
— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) February 22, 2022
In addition to Lich’s arrest, Ottawa police said in a statement on Monday that officers “have made 196 arrests, with 110 facing a variety of charges,” according to CTV News Canada.
“Ottawa police also said 115 vehicles connected to the protest have been towed,” according to the report.
Canadian law enforcement used crowd-control tactics including horses, pepper spray, and clubs to arrest Freedom Convoy protesters out of downtown Ottawa over the weekend. The Daily Wire reported:
Law enforcement launched a campaign to break the protest, which has gone on for weeks after truckers rolled into the city in late January to protest against vaccine mandates. The demonstration has since grown to oppose other COVID-19 restrictions as well.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, enacted in 1989 as a successor to the War Measures Act, on Monday as a “last resort” to deal with the Freedom Convoy protest that has camped outside of Parliament for roughly three weeks. Law enforcement began what could be its final crackdown on the protest on Friday after thousands of officers reportedly circled the protest area.
Police began making arrests and towing vehicles. Several hours into the sweep, police have arrested at least 70 protesters and removed over 20 vehicles, according to the Ottawa Police Department. Later in the afternoon, police broke out heavy crowd control tactics such as horses, clubs, and tear gas to push the protesters back.
Police horses are brought in again against the freedom protestors as law enforcement surges forward.
Footage by @PuffinsPictures pic.twitter.com/CyVCrGICmZ
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 18, 2022
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