‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers Barber, Lich charged by Ottawa police

Ottawa police arrested two of the main organizers behind an anti-government demonstration on Parliament Hill late Thursday, as large trucks continued to ignore demands they leave an ongoing blockade that has antagonized residents for weeks.

Keith Wilson, a lawyer for the so-called Freedom Convoy, told The Canadian Press that Tamara Lich was arrested after Chris Barber had been earlier.

“Tamara told me she is not afraid. She said she will continue to fight for the restoration of our rights and freedoms for all Canadians,” he said in a statement.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) released information on the arrests and charges early Friday morning.

Lich has been charged with one count of counselling mischief and was still in custody. 

Lich and Barber’s arrests were among several Thursday. One man sporting an orange hat was put in handcuffs near Parliament Hill. About two dozen officers escorted him into a nearby police vehicle as a crowd of protesters followed, with some shouting “shame.”

As he was placed inside the police vehicle the song “The Final Countdown” blared from the convoy’s makeshift sound stage. When the vehicle began to drive away, with a circle of police surrounding it, several people began shouting “Freedom!”

Another man was wrestled to the ground and carried to a waiting police car by more than six officers, while at least a dozen others formed a barricade around them.

A woman in the crowd shouted, “Come on, let him go” as the arrest took place.

In a video posted to social media, fellow organizer Pat King says he expects Barber and other protesters to be told they must leave Ottawa as a condition of release.

King is advising protesters who are arrested to write the Latin phrase “non assumpsit” on the paperwork, a legal term denying making a promise.

The arrests and tough talk seemed to do little to deter the crowd though. CityNews reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney described a party atmosphere with a DJ and dancing following the police action.

After a few arrests including organizer Chris Barber, it’s back to ‘normal’ at the convoy protest, where they are playing House of Pain #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/98wvVHfGkh

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 17, 2022

Protesters were informed to cease further unlawful activity, or they would face charges or fines. 

Christopher John Barber, 46, of Swift Current, Sask. is set to appear in an Ottawa courthouse on Friday, February 18 to face the following charges:

• Counselling to commit the offence of mischief
• Counselling to commit the offence of disobey court order (s. 127)
• Counselling to commit the offence of obstruct police

Tamara Lich, 49, of Medicine Hat, Alta. has been charged with:

• Counselling to commit the offence of mischief

Yesterday, the OPS issued a notice to protestors advising that anyone blocking streets, or assisting others in the blocking streets, are committing a criminal offence and could be arrested.