Latest news with #Lich
Epoch Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Lawrence Greenspon Defends the Fundamental Freedoms of All Canadians
Commentary 'Law is an imperfect profession,' famed American lawyer Alan Dershowitz—defender of such notorious clients as Claus Von Bülow, Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and O.J. Simpson—once wrote. 'There is no perfect justice … But there is perfect injustice, and we know it when we see it.' Like Dershowitz, Lawrence Greenspon has spent a career fighting injustice in all its forms. Over the past 45 years, Greenspon has become one of Canada's best-known criminal lawyers through his defence of a long list of clients at risk of being crushed by the legal system—from terrorists to political pariahs to, In taking on these cases, Greenspon is not only giving his clients the best defence possible, he's also defending the very legitimacy of Canada's legal system. Lich faced six charges and up to 10 years in jail for her role organizing the peaceful Ottawa protest. Earlier this month she was found guilty on a single charge of mischief. The Crown says it intends to seek a In an interview, Greenspon said he decides on cases based on whether he believes in the cause central to the case: 'What's at stake. And can I make a difference?' What attracted him to Lich's case were key aspects of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that he felt needed defending. 'Canadians have a constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly,' he said. 'These are fundamental freedoms, and they're supposed to be protected for all of us.' Related Stories 11/19/2024 11/2/2023 At issue was the impact the protest had on some downtown Ottawa residents and whether that conflicted with Lich's right to free speech and peaceful protest. 'We were prepared to admit right off the bat that there were individuals who lived in downtown Ottawa who experienced some interference with their enjoyment of their property,' Greenspon noted. 'But when you put freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly on a scale against interference with somebody's enjoyment of property, there's no contest. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression – these should win every time.' Such a spirited defence of Canadians' Charter rights is characteristic of the entire body of Greenspon's legal work, although his clients aren't always as endearing as Lich. Prior to being in the spotlight for the Lich trial, most Canadians probably remember Greenspon from the 2008 trial of 'The fundamental point is that everybody's entitled to a defence,' he said. What really mattered was the constitutionality of the new terror law, which Greenspon argued impinged on the free speech rights of Canadians. In 2018 Greenspon represented He also defended Sen. Throughout his legal career, Greenspon has fought tirelessly for the constitutional rights of all his clients, regardless of public sympathy or apparent guilt. While such a stance can make him unpopular, such work offers a crucial bulwark against the state's misuse of its authority in pursuing particular individuals, as well as the gradual erosion of the liberties promised to all Canadians by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Every Canadian has a stake in ensuring the court system is held to account at all times, regardless of the apparent evidence, current political mood or public support. Without the work of lawyers such as Greenspon, Charter rights can soon deteriorate into empty platitudes—as the federal government's shocking treatment of the peaceful Freedom Convoy protesters revealed. That included the unjustified imposition of the Emergencies Act, the freezing of donors' bank accounts, the mass arrest of supporters, and the marked reluctance to grant bail to those charged. As Greenspon pointed out numerous times during the trial, the conciliatory and always respectful Lich represents the very ideals of peaceful protest in Canada. And for the sole charge on which she was convicted, she still faces two years in a federal penitentiary. In the case of Khawaja, Greenspon was asked by an Ottawa synagogue to explain why he, as a Jew, was defending an Islamist terrorist. 'I told the synagogue members, somebody has to stand up for the person who finds themselves set against the entire machinery of the state. In this case it happens to be Khawaja. But what if the next guy is named Dreyfus?' Lynne Cohen is a writer at Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Canada Freedom Convoy leaders found guilty of mischief
Two leaders behind the "Freedom Convoy" protest that caused Canada's capital to descend into gridlock for weeks in 2022 have been found guilty of mischief but cleared of most other charges against them, Canadian media Lich and Chris Barber faced six charges, including mischief, obstructing police, and intimidation. Their lengthy criminal trial was heard over 45 days over a course of the year. Both had pleaded not two were part of a group that led a convoy of lorries to Ottawa to protest against Covid-19 measures and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The verdict was delivered on Thursday in an Ottawa courtroom. Both were found guilty of counselling others to commit mischief and committing mischief, but that last finding was stayed after a request by Crown attorneys, CBC reported. Barber was additionally found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court sentencing will be at a later date. Over the course of the trial, the Crown had argued that the pair held prominent and leading roles in the protests - both had large social media presence and appeared at convoy press events - and that many protesters took their cues from lawyers argued their clients sometimes assisted police in controlling the protests and never encouraged any unlawful behaviour. The February 2022 protests were initially sparked by a federal vaccine mandate for lorry drivers crossing the US-Canada of some 400 heavy trucks and other vehicles descended on Ottawa, Canada's capital, and blockaded city streets around parliament for three officials deemed it an "occupation".Separate protests also blocked a key US-Canada border crossing near Detroit, and in the provinces of Alberta and protests received international attention and inspired similar copycat demonstrations came to an end after Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act - the first time the Canadian law has been used - which allowed police to clear the streets and the government to impose bans on public assembly and other measures. In February, Pat King, another of the central organisers of the protest, received three months house arrest after being found guilty on five counts, including one count each of mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and counselling others to obstruct Crown, which had asked for 10 years behind bars, is appealing that sentence.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canada trucker protest organizers found guilty of mischief
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Two of the organizers of Canada's trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 have been found guilty of mischief for their roles in the mass protest in Ottawa, a judge ruled Thursday. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were key figures and organizers in the massive protest that saw hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people occupy downtown Ottawa and insist they would stay until COVID-19 public health mandates were eliminated. The February 2022 protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, were sparked by a Canadian government vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of protesters clogged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, and besieged Parliament Hill for three weeks in early 2022, demonstrating against vaccine mandates for truckers and other precautions and condemning then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. In finding the two guilty of mischief, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said the evidence shows that the two routinely encouraged people to join or remain at the protest, despite knowing the adverse effect it was having on downtown residents and businesses. The defense argued that Lich and Barber called for a peaceful protest and blamed any disorder on police and city officials. Perkins-McVey found Lich and Barber not guilty of intimidation, counselling someone to commit intimidation, obstructing police and counselling someone to obstruct police. Barber also was found guilty of counselling to disobey a court order for telling people to ignore an injunction issued by a judge directing convoy participants to stop honking their truck horns in downtown Ottawa. The truckers' convoy gridlocked downtown streets around Parliament Hill, with area residents complaining about the fumes from diesel engines running non-stop, and unrelenting noise from constant honking of horns and music from parties. Truckers also blockaded U.S.-Canada border crossings in protest. Trudeau's government ultimately invoked the Emergencies Act to try and bring an end to the protests. Ottawa Police brought in hundreds of officers from forces across Canada. The Freedom Convoy shook Canada's reputation for civility, inspired convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands and interrupted economic trade. For almost a week the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was blocked. It carries more than 25% of trade between the countries, who are each other's largest trading partners.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Canada trucker protest organizers found guilty of mischief
Two of the organizers of Canada's trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 have been found guilty of mischief for their roles in the mass protest in Ottawa, a judge ruled Thursday. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were key figures and organizers in the massive protest that saw hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people occupy downtown Ottawa and insist they would stay until COVID-19 public health mandates were eliminated. The February 2022 protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, were sparked by a Canadian government vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the U.S.- Canada border. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of protesters clogged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, and besieged Parliament Hill for three weeks in early 2022, demonstrating against vaccine mandates for truckers and other precautions and condemning then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. In finding the two guilty of mischief, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said the evidence shows that the two routinely encouraged people to join or remain at the protest, despite knowing the adverse effect it was having on downtown residents and businesses. The defense argued that Lich and Barber called for a peaceful protest and blamed any disorder on police and city officials. Perkins-McVey found Lich and Barber not guilty of intimidation, counselling someone to commit intimidation, obstructing police and counselling someone to obstruct police. Barber also was found guilty of counselling to disobey a court order for telling people to ignore an injunction issued by a judge directing convoy participants to stop honking their truck horns in downtown Ottawa. The truckers' convoy gridlocked downtown streets around Parliament Hill, with area residents complaining about the fumes from diesel engines running non-stop, and unrelenting noise from constant honking of horns and music from parties. Truckers also blockaded U.S.-Canada border crossings in protest. Trudeau's government ultimately invoked the Emergencies Act to try and bring an end to the protests. Ottawa Police brought in hundreds of officers from forces across Canada. The Freedom Convoy shook Canada's reputation for civility, inspired convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands and interrupted economic trade. For almost a week the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was blocked. It carries more than 25% of trade between the countries, who are each other's largest trading partners.
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Canada trucker protest organizers found guilty of mischief
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Two of the organizers of Canada's trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 have been found guilty of mischief for their roles in the mass protest in Ottawa, a judge ruled Thursday. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were key figures and organizers in the massive protest that saw hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people occupy downtown Ottawa and insist they would stay until COVID-19 public health mandates were eliminated. The February 2022 protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, were sparked by a Canadian government vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of protesters clogged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, and besieged Parliament Hill for three weeks in early 2022, demonstrating against vaccine mandates for truckers and other precautions and condemning then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. In finding the two guilty of mischief, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said the evidence shows that the two routinely encouraged people to join or remain at the protest, despite knowing the adverse effect it was having on downtown residents and businesses. The defense argued that Lich and Barber called for a peaceful protest and blamed any disorder on police and city officials. Perkins-McVey found Lich and Barber not guilty of intimidation, counselling someone to commit intimidation, obstructing police and counselling someone to obstruct police. Barber also was found guilty of counselling to disobey a court order for telling people to ignore an injunction issued by a judge directing convoy participants to stop honking their truck horns in downtown Ottawa. The truckers' convoy gridlocked downtown streets around Parliament Hill, with area residents complaining about the fumes from diesel engines running non-stop, and unrelenting noise from constant honking of horns and music from parties. Truckers also blockaded U.S.-Canada border crossings in protest. Trudeau's government ultimately invoked the Emergencies Act to try and bring an end to the protests. Ottawa Police brought in hundreds of officers from forces across Canada. The Freedom Convoy shook Canada's reputation for civility, inspired convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands and interrupted economic trade. For almost a week the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was blocked. It carries more than 25% of trade between the countries, who are each other's largest trading partners.
