Calgary organizer cancels Winnipeg ‘Freedom Convoy 2.0’
Posted Jan 3, 2023 11:21 am.
Last Updated Jan 4, 2023 9:15 am.
A Calgary man who helped organized what he refers to as “the Freedom Convoy 2.0” set for Winnipeg in February announced the cancellation of the event.
James Bauder, who is also one of the people being held responsible for the original “Freedom Convoy” that disrupted downtown Ottawa for weeks, announced the supposed successor to the rally was “out of service” days ago.
Team Canada Unity, an anti-government protest group, posted Bauder’s statement to its Facebook page on Saturday.
Bauder says he is cancelling all plans for protests because of what he calls “personal attacks on his character” and “security breaches.”
“The main reason for canceling the Freedom Convoy 2.0 is, since I made the official announcing plans to bring the Official Freedom Convoy 2.0 back to Ottawa Area for a 4-day reunion, I have had several security breaches, and personal character attacks made against me and others on Team Canada Unity,” his statement reads.
“As a result of these security breaches that are beyond our control, I cannot in good conscience guarantee Public Safety as I promised, nor can I guarantee other Team Canada Unity Freedom Convoy National Partners that could be deemed as convoy organizers, protection from being charged under Ontario’s Bill 100 Act. As a result, the Canada Unity Convoy for Freedom – Freedom Convoy will remain Officially 10-7 until further notice.”
WATCH: ‘Freedom Convoy 2.0’ cancelled
Bauder is facing multiple charges in relation to the first “Freedom Convoy” rally in Ottawa, during which he was arrested.
He also appeared a few months ago as a witness before the Public Order Emergency Commission at the Emergencies Act inquiry.
Despite Bauder and Team Canada Unity announcing the cancellation of the event, at least one prominent supporter of the original “Freedom Convoy” – Colin “Big Bear” Ross – has said the gathering in Winnipeg is “still a go.”
While Team Canada Unity says the “official Canada Unity Freedom Convoy will NOT be involved in any capacity with any other organizers of any similar ‘convoy-themed’ events,” it’s unclear whether similar groups will rally in Winnipeg in February.
Last year’s rally shut down much of downtown Ottawa for weeks, while demonstrators simultaneously gathered and blocked multiple border crossings around the country.
The border blockades led to the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time.
–With files from The Canadian Press
