50 Truckers See Charges Dropped for Participating in Coutts Alberta Protest
The Democracy Fund (TDF) and Williamson Law (WL) are celebrating the successful dismissal of charges against 50 truckers who had been ticketed while attending the Freedom Convoy protests at Coutts Alberta, in 2022.
Police had brought approximately 100 charges, issued under the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation (and other regulatory statutes), against peacefully protesting truckers. The Democracy Fund partnered with Williamson Law to ensure that these truckers received representation and, if necessary, a fair trial.
According to TDF, WL requested disclosure and held multiple discussions with the Crown which resulted in the immediate dismissal of all but 11 cases.
The Crown appeared determined to proceed with the remaining charges.
TDF, with the support of WL, then “sought subpoenas for the Alberta Premiers Office, Alberta Sheriffs, Edmonton Police Services, Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA), and Provincial Security and Intelligence Office (PSIO) to give evidence in respect of disclosure issues.” This effort, combined with further “discussions” with defence counsel, resolved the remaining tickets for just $1 each.
According to lawyer Chad Williamson of WL, this outcome, with all matters resolved and no clients convicted at trial, “represents an outstanding victory for civil liberty clients of TDF. The government attempted to bring charges against individuals and companies who allegedly had equipment parked on and near the highway during the Coutts Freedom Convoy protests. In the face of a robust and steadfast defence, we were successful in having close to 50 charges withdrawn immediately. For the remaining 11 truckers, we sought subpoenas for parties we believed had relevant knowledge of the underlying events.”
In one final note, Williamson expressed, “These cases show that a strong and vigorous defence is the best protection against charges levied by the government against peaceful protestors.”
Once again, we applaud the work of The Democracy Fund. Their efforts and collaborations with Williamson Law and other excellent lawyers are restoring the rights of Canadians and bringing hope back to many who saw their freedoms stricken by an overreaching government. These charges and other bullying efforts by authorities were employed as scare tactics; an attempt to dispel the protests and diminish all that they stood for.
And, while other individuals continue to be persecuted and made an example of, we will continue to stand with them as they fight for their individual rights and freedoms.
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