Summary

Pat King, a key figure in Canada’s 2022 “Freedom Convoy” protests, was found guilty on five charges, including mischief and counseling others to obstruct police, and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The protests, which blocked downtown Ottawa and key US-Canada border crossings for weeks, opposed COVID-19 mandates imposed by Prime Minister Trudeau’s government.

King was accused of inciting the blockade, coordinating disruptive actions like constant honking, and defying court orders.

He is the first protest leader convicted, while trials for other organizers are ongoing.

  • FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I really do hate people who conflate freedom with some notion that they get to be an asshole without any repercussions.

    • Grandwolf319@sh.itjust.works
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      1 day ago

      What they want is 4chan but in real life.

      That’s the thing tho, 4chan only works because no one gets to punch you in the face regardless of what you say.

    • whatwhatwhatwhat@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      People in the US like to cry first amendment (freedom of speech, etc) any time something they say has consequences.

      • Sexually harass a coworker? Freedom of speech!
      • Business owner says something bigoted and people stop patronizing their business? Freedom of speech!

      Funny how the same people with wE tHe PeOpLe bumper stickers are the ones who haven’t actually bothered to read the bill of rights.

      • StopTouchingYourPhone@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Convites in Canada like to cry first amendment too. Just not Canada’s first amendment in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Citing the US constitution. In Canadian courts.

        Dwayne Lich, husband of arrested convoy leader Tamara Lich, told the judge at his wife’s bail hearing that he was relying on his “First Amendment rights.” CBC Feb 22

        imo worse than Yanks confused and offended they can’t bring their guns when they go shopping in Toronto. Just dumb over-entitled main characters.

        • whatwhatwhatwhat@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          Holy crap that’s wild. I can’t believe the right-wing disinformation campaign in the US is so extreme that it’s leaking beyond our borders.

          Kinda reminds me of when the “sovereign citizens” claim that they are a “vessel” and therefore fall under maritime law.

          “Whoa, you sure do know some words that are tangentially related to the matter at hand.”