Bail denied to key organizer of Ottawa COVID protests

On Tuesday, a judge denied bail to Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and one of the most prominent organizers of protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

Julie Bourgeois, Ontario Court Justice, stated that Tamara Lich was likely to reoffend if she is released.

Patrick King was another key leader. He was also present at a bail hearing. A woman who admitted she had only met Patrick four weeks ago offered half of the value her Alberta home as collateral to ensure his bail.

Lich was the organizer of the protest that paralyzed Parliament Hill’s streets for over three weeks. It grew to the point that it closed only a few border posts between Canada and America. Since then, they have ended.

Lich was taken into custody on Thursday. She was charged with counseling to commit mischief. On Saturday, she agreed to surrender her support for the protest and return home to Alberta during a bail hearing.

The Ottawa protestors who had vowed to never give up were largely gone. They were chased by police in riot gear during the largest police operation in American history.

Canada’s reputation as civilized was shaken by the Freedom Convoy, which inspired convoys in France and New Zealand, and disrupted trade. This caused economic damage on both ends of the border. The streets surrounding Parliament were occupied by hundreds of trucks, which was part protest, part carnival.

The Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit, Ontario, and Windsor, United States, was closed for almost a week. This crossing handles more than 25% trade between the two countries.

Trudeau claimed that Ottawa residents were harassed for several weeks. He also said that billions of dollars worth of trade were being slowed by border blockades, which put people’s jobs in danger.

Lich was previously a member of the extreme-right Maverick Party which advocates for western Canada’s independence.

King was also charged with mischief, counseling to commit mischief and counselling to be convicted of the offence disobeying a court or counselling to obstruct officers. King is known for promoting racist conspiracy theories online.

Kerry Komix, an Alberta resident, proposed to be a surety in King’s case if he was granted bail. The plan would see King living in her spare room at home.

Komix, who was cross-examined by the prosecution, stated that she knew King for four weeks and had travelled to Ottawa as part of the trucker convoy.

Komix stated that she would make sure King complied with bail conditions and appeared at future court dates. Otherwise, she would risk losing a $50,000 bond.

She said, “As soon he’s freed, he will be in mine 24-hour care.”

Komix stated that she was a light sleeper, but an attentive dog.

She said, “I don’t see how he could breach it without me knowing.”

“I will be in a position to hear each move that he makes.”

King received papers from Paul Champ just before the break in proceedings. This law firm is leading a civil action against protest organizers for downtown Ottawa residents.

Lich’s bail decision was made the day after Canadian lawmakers voted in support of the government’s use under the Emergencies Act.

Ottawa police made 196 arrests and 110 were facing various charges. Police said that 115 vehicles linked to the protest were towed.