Crown accuses convoy leaders Lich, Barber of working together to gridlock Ottawa

Closing arguments continued in the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barberon Wednesday, as prosecutors pointedto instances where the two key figures in what became the Freedom Convoy worked together during the winter2022 protests.

Bothhave pleaded not guilty to charges of mischief, intimidation, obstruction and other counts related totheir roles in organizing, promoting and raising money for the truck convoy that blocked streetsin Ottawa's downtown core to protestagainst COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The lengthy trial started nearly a year ago and is now nearing itsend.

When closing arguments began on Tuesday, prosecutors told the court they had an "overwhelming case" against the two and "significant" evidence.

Lich and Barber could face jail time if they are found guilty.

Crown prosecutors are asking the court to allowevidence applying to one of the accused to be used against both.

They argue the two acted together in a criminal enterprise to help orchestrate the blockage of downtown roads and other aspects of the protests, like security, fundraising and public relations.

During the second day ofclosing arguments, prosecutor Tim Radcliffe pointed to what he called instances of the two accused working together to gridlock the city something that was accomplished over the course of three weeks.

Prosecutors citedtext messages, press conferences and social media posts by Lich and Barber referring to unity and solidarity among the protesters, and pointedto theiruseof the pronouns"we" and "us."

Before a courtroom audience that includedseveral of the accused's supporters, prosecutors used a slide show to give a week-by-week breakdown of the protests.

The court saw photos of Lich and Barber together in videos and photos during the protests, andspeaking at press conferences together.

They were also part of establishing a "Freedom Convoy 2022" corporation and served on itsboard of directors.

Accused knew to leave

Prosecutors pointed totext messages retrieved by police from Barber's phone indicating that, as early as Jan. 31, 2022 two days into the protests he was aware authorities had asked the protesters to leave the city but was refusing to do so until mandates were lifted.

They revisited a letter, introduced as evidence earlier in the trial, that wassent by Lich to then-Ottawa mayor Jim Watson in the middle of the protest. In it, she admittedthe protesters' presence was "disturbing" some residents.

Prosecutors used this and other evidence to argue Lich and Barber were well aware their actions during the protest had "crossed the line" into criminality but, rather than leaving, encouraged others to join them.

Defence lawyers for Lich and Barber have pointed to times when the two worked with police. They cited police giving Lich and Barbermaps indicating where trucks should be parked during the protests and said the two acted alongside authorities in an effort to reduce the protest's impact on residents.

Throughout closing submissions, prosecutors Radcliffe and Sibohan Westcher tried to dismantle that argumentby pointing to videos and text messages. They citedBarber saying working with police was a "cat and mouse" game and that they had beenleft "baffled."

Defence to beginclosing arguments

Lawyers for Lich and Barber are expected to begin making their arguments Thursday morning.

The two accused did notcall any evidence during the trial after prosecutors closed their case, arguing the bar had not been met to warrant a conviction.

The defence is expected to say that Lich and Barber's words and actions in Ottawa were aimed at changing government policy on vaccine mandates.

Court filings show they likely will highlight how Lich and Barber repeatedly told protesters to remain peaceful, and argue that they were exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The defence is also expected to push against the claim thatLich and Barber acted inconspiracyand to argue that prosecutors are mistakenlypresenting the Freedom Convoy as a single, unifiedevent.