As Ottawa enters into its ninth day of the so-called Convoy Freedom 22 demonstration, it has become obvious that it quickly transformed into an occupation of downtown Ottawa and surrounding residential areas. This has led to accusations of illegal activities on the part of the demonstrators and charges against some of the protesters. Members of the directly affected community have launched a class-action lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It is seeking $5 million in “punitive damages” and another $4.8 million in “private nuisance” damages, citing that the continuous noise from trucks and protester harassment have caused “significant mental distress, suffering and torment.”
On top of which, the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe stopped payments to the organizers of Freedom Convoy 2022 because the protest violates its rules on violence and harassment provisions in its contractual Terms and Conditions. Over $10 million had been raised to date, although the names of most donators have not been released by GoFundMe. A number of donors identified themselves in comments as living abroad, in countries such as the United States, Australia, England or Poland. However, participants in the occupation have displayed symbols of hate including the Confederate flag and swastikas while protesting. Truckers parked in downtown Ottawa have also made residents miserable by blaring their horns at all hours and protesters have vandalized businesses and harassed residents and employees. Due to the actions of some demonstrators, numerous businesses have been forced to remain closed during the occupation, leaving many and their workers without revenues. Interestingly, GoFundMe also has a similar page requesting donations in support of a trucking convoy to D.C.
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the protest’s GoFundMe page, posted a video message on Friday evening directing supporters to a new online fundraiser hosted by GiveSendGo, a Christian fundraising site. This site was blocked by PayPal last year after it was used to raise funds for people who attended the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in the U.S. Lich was a former leader within the “Wexit” movement pushing for the independence of western provinces, and recently resigned from the fledgling Maverick Party to devote herself full time to the “Freedom Convoy” protest. While she is not a trucker, she was however associated with what are considered as fringe groups such as the Canadian “Yellow Vest” protest movement.
In addition, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a Calgary-based nonprofit law firm that has also represented other clients resisting government COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, announced that it is representing the Freedom Convoy 2022 in Ottawa and has a team of lawyers on the ground providing legal assistance and advice. Interestingly, on its Web site, the JCCF talks about freedom of peaceful assembly, including “… the freedom of Canadians to peaceful protest and demonstrations on public property.” JCCF has also published a brochure entitled: “Your Body, Your Choice – The legal right to refuse vaccines and other medical treatments.” The firm now represents several individuals who are contesting COVID-related public health measures and government restrictions. Apparently, JCCF relies heavily on donations to support its activities. Again, one must ask just who contributes?
All in all, Ottawa’s police chief who heads up the response to the occupation of a number of police forces, including the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police, has implemented a number of new enforcement measures. Unfortunately, for the citizens of Ottawa, the occupation is expected to continue over the weekend, with protesters being joined by outside groups. The question is that, in view of the fact that a number of provinces had already planned to reduce COVID-related restrictions in the near future, what do the protesters really have to gain? The answer is simply “nothing”. Each day they are loosing whatever support that they initially had because of their actions as occupiers. This is no longer a peaceful assembly. Even some members of the Conservative party, who initially appeared to support aspects of the initiative, are now calling on the organizers to end the occupation and go home.
We are a country which respects the rule of law and order as a fundamental principle of our democratic ways. This does not include infringing on the freedoms of other law-abiding citizens!
FROLITICKS 