Defence for Freedom Convoy Organizer Argues Barber Worked Together With Police

OTTAWA—The defence lawyer for Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber argued that he did not intend to gridlock traffic in Ottawa, and worked with the city’s police to ensure roadways remained open. Barber and Tamara Lich are on trial for mischief, intimidation, and counselling others to break the law in connection with the trucker protest in early 2022, while Barber is also accused of counselling others to disobey a court order. The demonstration saw hundreds of vehicles flood the streets of downtown Ottawa to protest COVID-19-related public health restrictions and vaccine mandates. During their closing arguments on Aug. 13 and 14, Crown lawyers said Lich and Barber “crossed the line,” using unlawful means to pursue their political goals, and that the case against the two is “overwhelming.” The Crown has also said the pair conspired together so closely that evidence used against one of them should apply to both, which is known in Canadian law as a Carter application....