‘Freedom convoy’ organizers Barber, Lich arrested by Ottawa police

Police arrested two of the main organizers behind an antigovernment 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, confirmed to The Canadian Press that Tamara Lich was arrested after Chris Barber had been earlier.

The Ottawa Police Service says it does not confirm the names of anyone arrested until charges are laid.

“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.

Lich has been charged with one count of counselling mischief and was still in custody. There were no details about Barber.

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

It’s now been 21 days that demonstrators have been set up at Parliament Hill protesting COVID-19 mandates, and the interim police chief warned that officers would be drastically ramping up efforts to clear the occupation site.

Police set up checkpoints throughout the downtown area to prevent protesters from entering the core of the capital.

Officers stationed throughout downtown can be seen peering into vehicle windows with their flashlights to ask travellers where they’re headed.

Interim police Chief Steve Bell says only people who aren’t protesting will be able to get downtown this weekend.

The police also appear to have shut down highway exits and light rail stops downtown.

Had to leave the secure zone in Ottawa to do some grocery shopping tonight, just outside the zone.
On my way back in I saw serious traffic jams of diverted vehicles and had to go through 3 check points with police before making it home.
Much stricter measures than past 3 weeks

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 18, 2022

Earlier in the day, Bell said action to clear downtown Ottawa is “imminent” and that officers are prepared to remove individuals by force if necessary.

“If you want to leave on your own terms, now is the time to do it. Go home. We have had enough of you here,” Bell said candidly.

Bell took on the interim role following the abrupt resignation of former chief, Peter Sloly.

Bell said officers will clear the streets over the next few days, warning they are ready to use methods people are not used to seeing in the capital.

“Our goal is to take our streets back. Our goal is to give the streets of Ottawa back to the community that owns it and deserve it,” Bell said. “Just know that there is a deliberate plan. There is commitment and there is the resourcing that we now have in place to finally end this.”

“I can tell you it will be a very different picture in the downtown core this weekend than it has been in the last few weekends.”

CityNews learned two buses filled with police officers made their way to Parliament Hill Thursday morning after police and equipment were spotted near the airport in the capital.

Meanwhile, police in the area handed out flyers Thursday warning demonstrators they’ll face severe penalties if they do not leave the protest sites immediately.

Those penalties could include being arrested and charged with criminal offences, seeing vehicles seized or removed, and a suspension or cancellation of their driver’s licence.

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CityNews spoke with some protesters, who vowed to remain despite the latest round of warnings.

One protester, Beverley, said she won’t leave and is willing to be arrested. “Tthe reason we’re here is for freedom, right, and we can’t give in… we can’t give in to this tyranny.”

“I’m not fearful, none of us are fearful, we have nothing to fear because we’re not doing anything wrong,” she said.

Demonstrator John has been holding a sign all morning that reads: “I love my country, I’m a patriot, and I don’t want to see anymore… I don’t want to see our rights taken away.”

Ottawa, provincial, and RCMP officers have been seen in the area.

Ottawa police released a statement Thursday, saying residents would see a “major increase” in officers on the streets throughout the day and they’ve started to install barriers throughout the downtown.

“All police actions are designed to keep the public and protesters safe while also removing this unlawful protest,” the force said, adding “we continue to advise demonstrators not to enter Ottawa, and to go home.”

Police also said they’ll be working with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa to ensure the “safety and wellbeing of children and youth” at the demonstration.

With files from The Canadian Press.