Hundreds show up outside Alberta court for Coutts blockade hearing
Posted Nov 4, 2022 4:12 pm.
Last Updated Nov 4, 2022 4:13 pm.
A convoy of vehicles arrived at a Lethbridge courthouse Friday morning to support three men charged in a blockade at the Coutts border crossing early this year.
Lethbridge police said on social media that about 500 supporters gathered around the building, which is downtown, for what appeared to be a peaceful protest.
A rally at the Lethbridge Courthouse involving approximately 500 people gathered in support of three men charged in connection with the Coutts blockade, has been concluded without incident. https://t.co/rAQ1xhSkr6 #yql
— Lethbridge Police (@lethpolice) November 4, 2022
Officers say aside from a few “parking challenges” due to the large crowd, no police action was needed.
They say police were on hand at intersections to “restrict” heavy equipment like tractors, all while roads and businesses remained open.
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All three men who made appearances Friday are scheduled to be back in the Court of King’s Bench on Dec. 12 for arraignment. Their lawyers told a provincial court judge Friday that they want to be tried by a judge and jury.
Van Huigenbos, one of the organizers of the blockade, which was part of a nation-wide protest against COVID-19 measures, is a councillor in Fort Macleod.
He is anticipated to speak at the Emergencies Act inquiry in Ottawa.
The RCMP has said the charges against him and the two other men stem from the individuals being key participants in the blockade at the Coutts border crossing. The protest lasted a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, a trial before a judge and jury has been scheduled for June of next year for four other men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at the blockade.
Chris Carbert, Chris Lysak, Anthony Olienick, and Jerry Morin were charged in February after RCMP found a cache of guns, body armour, and ammunition in trailers at the protest near Coutts.
