Shocking penalties demanded for freedom transport organizers!

Shocking penalties demanded for freedom transport organizers!

A sensational trial against the organizers of the “Convoi de la liberté” begins today in the Canadian capital Ottawa. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, both central figures in the protests against the corona measures, face severe punishments. The public prosecutor's office is demanding seven years in prison for Lich and eight years for Barber, who was also convicted of encouraging disobeying a court order. The legal battles are part of a broader debate over the limits of protest and the government's response to mass unrest that gripped the city in 2022.

The three-day sentencing hearing is already in full swing La Presse reported. During the demonstrations, participants called for the vaccination requirement and the associated measures to be lifted. The two key players were found guilty of causing trouble, with prosecutors arguing that their actions, not their political beliefs, warrant the harsh punishment.

The background to the protests

The protests, which were directed against the vaccination requirement when crossing the border, began in January 2022. At that time, unvaccinated truck drivers returning from the USA had to be quarantined, while their American colleagues were not allowed to enter the country without vaccination. These measures led to massive blockades at border crossings and in downtown Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was forced to activate the emergency law to deal with the situation taz reported the use of emergency powers to end the protests and provide authorities with expanded powers.

But the application of this law is controversial. Critics, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, argue the government acted without a solid legal basis. This was upheld by a court in a decision that the Liberals are now challenging. Le Soleil reports that this litigation is important not only for current actors, but also for future protests in Canada.

The effects of the protests

The streamlining of events in Ottawa not only has serious legal consequences for the organizers, but also huge financial implications for the city. The terrorist actions during the demonstration kept police busy and resulted in an estimated cost of over $62 million in maintaining order. This sum is made up of $55 million for the Ottawa Police Service and more than $7 million for the city government itself. While Lich and Barber were operationally implicated in the participant process, they were nevertheless acquitted of more serious charges such as intimidation and obstruction of police, highlighting the complexity of the legal disputes.

The developments surrounding “Convoi de la liberté” and the accompanying legal dispute shed a bright light on the tension between individual rights and state security in times of crisis. The coming days are likely to be groundbreaking for the legal and social debate both in Canada and beyond.