Bambi is not a legal expert. However, she knows how to recognize what looks like judicial harassment. Indeed, it is both sad and unacceptable to read about what is happening to Ms. Tamara Lich and Mr. Chris Barber for having co-organized the “Freedom Convoy“, which opened the country after its excessive Covid-19 pandemic-related measures. Instead of either thanking them or letting them finally live peacefully, they have been accused with “mischief” in a trial that has dragged for too long.
Today, we learned of new development. Because of “mischief”, the Crown is asking for 8 years of jail for him and 7 for her. Can you imagine?!
Of note, mischief usually refers to reckless or intentional damage or interference with someone’s property. For example, this may refer to actions like blocking a street or vandalism of someone’s property with graffiti. In Canada, mischief rarely leads to jail time. Thus, the Crown request appears more unfair, and even absurd, when some criminals, including rapists, got out of jail earlier, or received no jail at all (https://tinyurl.com/335v4tmt).
As a quick flash-back into the past, at the time the freedom convoy took place, Bambi had several posts on the topic. It was dear to her heart because she is grateful to Canada’s truck drivers for the food she can purchase. She also had other related posts that you can see further below.
To support the “freedom convoy” movement across Canada, Bambi went to an exit on the highway, near her small town, to salute Maritime truck drivers before they started their long drive to Ottawa where they demanded the end of the excessive pandemic measures. Their request was reasonable and they were peaceful.
Of course, as expressed on this blog, Bambi had a thought for Ottawa citizens as she imagined that truck honking might result in auditory stress and maybe headaches for some of them. However, does honking justify 7 and 8 years in jail as the court is requesting for the co-organizers? If so, maybe we should put the entire population of some countries, like Bambi’s birth place, in jail permanently because Lebanese drivers use car horns a lot (i.e., when they see a loved one, at weddings, when upset, for no reason, etc.).
As a reminder, Ottawa evoked the Emergencies Act without much justification. In 2024, Federal Court ruled that “not only it wasn’t justified, it infringed on Charter rights” (https://tinyurl.com/2pewnaw7).
Ms. Lich was in the Ottawa court house today. Mr. Barber could not make it as he lost one parent. May the latter’s soul rest in peace. To support Ms. Lich, a mother and a grandmother, Bambi just bought her book entitled “Hold The Line: My story from the heart of the Freedom Convoy“. She is also considering making a donation for legal support, if this is an option.
Silencing Ms. Lich and Mr. Barber, by throwing them in jail, is silencing all Canadians. As Bambi had repeated many times on her blog, freedom of expression should be defended as a principle for ALL. This includes Ms. Lich and Mr. Barber.To cite Ms. Lich’s lawyer Mr. Lawrence Greenspon sharp and wise words, “freedom of expression should win every time” (https://tinyurl.com/4xzzvjn9). Is this too much to ask for in today’s Canada and world?
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