Defense argues that the organizer of the Freedom Convoy wanted to help the police

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OTTAWA – Defense attorneys delivering closing arguments on behalf of one of the prominent organizers of the Freedom Convoy continue to maintain their client's innocence as the trial is scheduled to resume next week.

Diane Magas argued in court on Thursday that her client Chris Barber never intended to blockade Ottawa and that he was not responsible for the actions of the convoy participants.

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She also said there was an “enormous” amount of material to cover in the trial and the process had taken longer than expected. The trial began in September 2023 and has faced numerous delays.

Prosecutors allege that Barber and his co-defendant Tamara Lich worked together to cause weeks of criminal unrest in the capital during protests in early 2022.

They were among several organizers of the protest, which was directed against public health restrictions and the federal government in place during the pandemic.

Lich and Barber are facing charges of property damage, intimidation and inciting others to break the law for their roles in the demonstration.

Barber, the owner of a trucking company in Saskatchewan, is also accused of inciting others to disregard a court order by encouraging people to honk their horns despite a judge's orders to stop them from doing so.

The courtroom's gallery was mostly full on Thursday, and some observers laughed at times during the evidence or when there was an exchange of blows between Magas and the presiding judge.

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Magas argued that the gridlock in downtown Ottawa was the result of poor planning and lack of preparation by the Ottawa Police Department and that Barber was working with police to ease tensions and roadblocks.

“Our position, as presented in court, is that my client is innocent,” Magas said after the day's hearing. “Morally innocent and legally innocent.”

The Freedom Convoy protest attracted thousands of demonstrators and a flood of semi-trailers to Ottawa, thwarting police efforts to maintain order.

The court heard there was excessive noise from crowds, idling engines and blaring air horns, an overwhelming smell of diesel and smoke, and some Ottawa residents and businesses were inconvenienced.

Lich and Barber were both arrested shortly before police launched a major operation to break up the protest.

Magas is scheduled to deliver her closing arguments on Monday, with Lich's defense expected to make its final statements afterward.

— With additional reporting by Laura Osman

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