Defence Argues Coutts Protest ‘Disorganized’ as Trial Continues for Three Men Accused of Mischief

As the criminal trial continues for three men accused of playing key roles in an Alberta blockade two years ago, defence lawyers argued that the protest was “disorganized” and no one had the power to call the shots. “You couldn’t tell us who actually was responsible for the trucks coming down on the 29 (of January),” defence lawyer Michael Johnston asked former Coutts Mayor Jim Willett during cross-examination on April 4. “I could not,” Mr. Willett replied. “It seems like a rather disorganized protest, still, on Feb. 2. Is that fair?” said Mr. Johnston. “Probably, yeah,” Mr. Willett said. Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk, and Gerhard Janzen have each pleaded not guilty to mischief over $5,000 for their roles in the 2022 protest in Coutts, Alta. The protest near the Canada-U.S. border was sparked in solidarity with the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa to oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions....