Lawyers for ‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders attempt to block Ottawa residents from testifying

globalnews.ca:

“Freedom Convoy” protests are expected to make their case today to block nine Ottawa residents and business representatives from taking the stand.Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are on trial for criminal charges related to their role in the demonstration, which blockaded Ottawa city streets for weeks last year as protestors railed against COVID-19 public health measures.The Crown plans to call five Ottawa residents as witnesses in the case, including Zexi Li, who filed a class-action lawsuit against the organizers on behalf of people who live and work in downtown Ottawa.The Crown also intends to call the owner of a women’s clothing boutique, and employees from the National Arts Centre, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, and the local public transit operator.Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon argued against hearing from the witnesses when court resumed Monday.Lich and Barber have already signed admissions that the “actions of certain individuals” who participated in the protest interfered with public transit and the lawful use and enjoyment of property and businesses.“There’s is absolutely no need to call these nine witnesses,” Greenspon said, arguing their testimony would be irrelevant in a strictly legal sense.The witnesses didn’t have any direct interactions with Lich or Baber, and the organizers have not admitted to playing any role in the disruptions.The admission did not go far enough to justify blocking the testimony of people directly impacted by the protest, Crown attorney Siobhain Wetscher argued.“I don’t think that Mr. Greenspon is in a position to admit that the protest is not peaceful,” Wetscher said.