Advertisement

Tamara Lich, convoy organizer, denied bail as judge notes ‘grave’ nature of charge

Click to play video: 'Convoy organizers potentially face lengthy prison time'
Convoy organizers potentially face lengthy prison time
WATCH ABOVE: Tamara Lich, a key organizer of the "Freedom Convoy" has been denied bail, leaving her behind bars until her trial. David Akin explains the potential punishment Lich faces if she's convicted, as the political debate over invoking the Emergencies Act continues – Feb 22, 2022

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that blockaded the nation’s capital for three weeks, will remain behind bars after an Ottawa judge denied her bail.

“These offences are grave,” said the presiding judge ruling on the bail application.

Lich was arrested on Thursday evening as law enforcement in Ottawa began a major push that lasted through the weekend to clear out the convoy blockade following the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

In a video posted by the convoy’s official Twitter page, Lich could be seen being led away by officers and saying “hold the line.”
Click to play video: 'Trucker convoy organizer Tamara Lich denied bail'
Trucker convoy organizer Tamara Lich denied bail

The judge referenced that comment during the bail hearing.

Story continues below advertisement

“You have had plenty of opportunity to remove yourself and even others from this criminal activity but obstinately chose not to, and persistently counselled others not to either,” the judge said, adding that “this community has already been impacted enough.”

Click to play video: 'Ottawa police use anti-riot weapons on convoy protesters, arrest 170 total'
Ottawa police use anti-riot weapons on convoy protesters, arrest 170 total

The Crown is also seeking a non-communication order that would bar Lich from any communications with  three fellow convoy organizers and leaders: Chris Barber, Pat King and B.J. Dichter.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Barber is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobey court order, counselling to commit the offence of obstruct police.

He was granted bail on Friday.

Story continues below advertisement
King was arrested and charged, and is currently before the court seeking bail. No decision has yet been made in his case. He is charged with mischief, counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobey court order, and counselling to commit the offence of obstruct police.
Click to play video: 'What people in Ottawa endured during protests'
What people in Ottawa endured during protests

Dichter departed the demonstration on Friday.

Ottawa police arrested nearly 200 people, who are facing in total nearly 400 charges in relation to the demonstration, which had been declared illegal on Feb. 14.

The downtown core of the city, snarled by encamped trucks and blasted by horns for three weeks, is now clear of demonstrators but there remains a significant police presence around the secured zone.

Click to play video: 'Trucker protests: Freeland says need to be ‘very careful’ on facts over financial measures'
Trucker protests: Freeland says need to be ‘very careful’ on facts over financial measures

Sponsored content

AdChoices