Nearly one year after its start, the trial for two leaders of the Freedom Convoy entered closing arguments on Tuesday.
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are facing charges of mischief, intimidation, obstruction and other charges for their roles in the 2022 protests.
The closely watched trial began Sept. 5 but has experienced a series of stops and starts.
Crown prosecutors called 16 witnesses over 37 days of trial and presented hours of video evidence and reams of social media posts in an effort to prove their case.
Closing submissions are expected to last until at least the end of the week.
During closing arguments Tuesday, Crown prosecutors whipped out a PowerPoint presentation to lay out for the court what they call “overwhelming evidence” against Lich and Barber.
They said the two were leaders of the protest and helped to finance, fuel and organize the mass of trucks that came into Ottawa’s downtown core to protest against COVID-19 mandates.
Prosecutors stressed the importance of matching the actions of Lich and Barber with what was happening in Ottawa at the time.
Crown prosecutors said no other protesters who came to Ottawa during the three-week event had the same infrastructure as Lich and Barber.
Barber, 48, and Lich, 50, were often seen together as they travelled from their homes in Western Canada to Ottawa.
Shortly after arriving in the city, they were key voices in a group that had organized millions of dollars, a public relations operation, security, logistics and a formal corporation for the Freedom Convoy protest.
Prosecutors said it’s no coincidence that the name associated with the protests — the Freedom Convoy — is the same name adopted by Lich and Barber’s group before travelling to the city.
Both had large social media followings, and prosecutors say they used their influence online to turn the protest from a legal one to a criminal act.
Throughout their submissions, which are expected to continue Wednesday, the Crown cited several examples of other protesters who were convicted.
Barber and Lich’s legal teams are expected to begin closing submissions later this week.
Backed by The Democracy Fund (TDF) and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JFFC), Lich and Barber have enjoyed the support of right-wing and civil liberty organizations throughout their trial.
The defence argues the two were acting within their rights and that the Crown has not met the bar to convict them.
Throughout the trial, they pointed to instances where Lich and Barber followed the directions of authorities and promoted peace.
The judge overseeing the matter will have up to six months to deliver a verdict after closing submissions are concluded.
That conclusion could come as early as Friday, but court dates have been set aside for next week if more time is needed.