COVID FREEDOM HEROES — a Western Standard seven-part series — is recognizing individuals and groups from the legal, law enforcement and medical establishment, along with everyday people that stood up for Canadians' rights and freedoms during the COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates..Part seven, and the final installment of the series, focuses on Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich. Lich, along with others, organized the truckers' Freedom Convoy that rolled into Ottawa in January and parked for three weeks in protest of federally mandated COVID-19 vaccines. Lich was instrumental in helping raise millions to support the efforts of convoy protestors. .Lich, a Métis wife and grandmother from Medicine Hat, AB, was one of three main organizers behind the truckers' Freedom Convoy that made its way from Vancouver to Ottawa in late January 2022. . Tamara LichFreedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich .Lich was on the scenes early during the convoy's inception and helped raise more than $10 million in donations to support the truckers protests in Ottawa on the fundraising platform GoFundMe before it was frozen by the Canadian government. She then started a new fundraiser on the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo. That too exceeded $10 million. .She travelled to Ottawa with the Freedom Convoy and served as a spokesperson for the group while protests took place for three weeks in February. . Tamara LichFreedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich speaks at a press conference .Just days before law enforcement moved in to dismantle the protests, Lich was arrested on February 17 and was accused of counselling to commit mischief. .Justice Julie Bourgeois, at a bail hearing on February 22, denied Lich bail. That was overturned on March 7 and Lich was granted bail with several conditions. .Six additional charges were laid against Lich on March 24. Those include mischief, counselling to obstruct police, obstructing police, counselling intimidation, and intimidation by blocking one or more highways. .A freeze order was put in place on funds raised for the convoy through GiveSendGo. Lawyers in early March argued the donation platform would be in breach of that freezing order if it refunded donors. .However, co-founder Jacob Wells told Ontario's Superior Court the platform's terms of service gives it the discretion to refund donors. Wells said in an effort to "protect our givers' intentions," and due to the protest being cleared by police so there was no way to distribute the funds for their stated purpose, GiveSendGo would be refunding donors for their contributions. . Tamara Lich .Justice Calum MacLeod agreed and said the order was to target funds in the possession of the convoy organizers, not those yet to be distributed. .Lich was arrested again in late June after attending an awards gala where she posed for a picture with another convoy organizer, which she was not permitted to do based on her bail conditions. Lich was denied bail for a second time; however, she was finally released on an appeal after nearly a month behind bars. .Here is a timeline of events Lich endured while fighting for the rights of Canadians during and after the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa: .January 23, 2022 – The Freedom Convoy started rolling from BC’s Lower Mainland towards Ottawa in protest of government mandates..An official GoFundMe page started by Lich received more than 37,400 separate donations at the time adding up to more than $2.8 million..READ MORE: Massive, loud support displayed as BC’s truckers roll east.January 25, 2022 – Lich says the group’s GoFundMe page — which had so far raised $4.4 million — had not been frozen despite rumours it had been. .She spoke to the Western Standard and said mainstream media reports that it was shut down were not accurate..READ MORE: Truck convoy organizer says GoFundMe cash not frozen.January 26, 2022 – People from Finland to Belgium, England to France, the Slovak Republic to the U.S., Mexico and elsewhere, were cheering on the Canadian truckers..READ MORE: SLOBODIAN: Freedom Convoy captures attention of the world.January 27, 2022 – The truckers Freedom Convoy drove past cheering crowds as it made its way along Hwy. 401 on its way to Ottawa. .Organizers planned for protests to start on Sunday, January 30. .READ MORE: CONVOY UPDATE: Ottawa prepares for Freedom Convoy as it moves through Ontario. Tamara Lich in OttawaTamara Lich in Ottawa .January 31, 2022 – During a press conference held by trucker convoy organizers Benjamin Ditcher, Chris Barber, and Lich, it was announced the convoy group banned the Toronto Star and CBC from attending for spreading false claims about protesters..READ MORE: Freedom Convoy organizers denounce mainstream media coverage as ‘hysterical’.February 2, 2022 – Donations to the GoFundMe efforts topped $10 million, making it the eighth highest GoFundMe fundraiser ever, with more than 123,700 donations. Donations were to go toward reimbursing drivers for the cost of fuel, food and lodgings..READ MORE: Truckers’ GoFundMe hits $10M.February 3, 2022 – For the first time, GoFundMe paused the Freedom Convoy 2022 funding page, which sat just shy of $10.1 million and said it was reviewing the fundraiser to ensure safe and legal practices..READ MORE: Truckers’ GoFundMe frozen, for real this time.February 7, 2022 – After fundraising efforts were dashed on the GoFundMe platform, Lich announced a new partnership with GiveSendGo and said the launch on the American Christian crowdfunding site will allow funds to go directly to the truckers, much faster than GoFundMe was allowing..More than $5 million USD was raised in the first three days..READ MORE: Millions donated to Freedom Convoy on alternate platform.February 9, 2022 – More than $7.5 million USD was raised on the GiveSendGo site, equal to roughly $9.5 million CAD. At the time, the fundraising site had more than 83,000 donors..READ MORE: Donations raise $7.5 million for truckers on GiveSendGo.February 10, 2022 – The Ontario government released a statement saying it was now illegal to have any “dealing” with money donated through the GiveSendGo platform to the Freedom Convoy protest..The Ontario government said it had effectively frozen all donations made to the trucker convoy through the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo..READ MORE: Ontario Superior Court ‘criminalizes’ Freedom Convoy donations.February 17, 2022 – Lich, in an emotional video posted on social media, said she expected to be behind bars by the next day.. Tamara Lich's emotional plea to freedom protesters before her arrestTamara Lich's emotional plea to freedom protesters before her arrest .“It’s inevitable at this point, I’ll probably be going somewhere tomorrow where I’ll be getting three square meals a day,” said Lich in a Facebook live. “I’m OK with that and I want you to know I’m not afraid.”.READ MORE: WATCH: Convoy organizer Lich emotionally anticipating arrest.February 17, 2022 – Freedom Convoy trucker Chris Barber and organizer Lich, were arrested by police within hours of each other. . Tamara Lich arrestedTamara Lich arrested. .Just before being arrested, Lich told fellow protesters to “hold the line.”.READ MORE: UPDATED: WATCH: Freedom Convoy organizers Barber, Lich arrested.February 18, 2022 – Hundreds of police officers began moving against Freedom Convoy protesters in Ottawa..The lines of officers were backed up by military garbed police carrying automatic weapons and paramedics were on standby ready to treat anyone injured..READ MORE: SEE IT: Dozens arrested as police move in on Freedom Convoy.February 18, 2022 – The Liberals froze a number of bank accounts across the country associated with the Freedom Convoy and planned to shut down more as permitted by the Emergencies Act, confirmed Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. .Prime Minister Justin Trudeau envoked the Emergencies Act on February 14. .READ MORE: Liberals freezing Freedom Convoy bank accounts.February 19, 2022 – Heavy pressure from law enforcement following Trudeau's invocation of the Emergencies Act was behind the decision to stand down by Freedom Convoy truckers after their three-week-long protest in Ottawa..Organizer Tom Marazzo said although protesters would begin to “peacefully withdraw starting today,” truckers planned to launch a Charter challenge against the vaccine mandates. .READ MORE: Freedom Convoy truckers gear up to leave.February 22, 2022 – After being arrested in Ottawa, Lich was denied bail and remained behind bars. Ontario Court Justice Julie Bourgeois said, “These offences are grave,” and Lich faces “a lengthy stay” behind bars if convicted, before she denied bail..READ MORE: Freedom Convoy organizer Lich denied bail.March 7, 2022 – Justice John M. Johnston granted Lich bail with the following conditions:.• Lich must leave Ottawa.• Lich must report daily to Ottawa police about her travel home.• Lich must reside at her Alberta residence.• Lich cannot communicate with her co-accused.• No social media posts/including others posting on Lich’s behalf.• Lich cannot participate in other protests.• Surety can access Lich’s phone, devices, etc..• Lich must attend court as required.• Lich is barred from coming to Ontario except for court matters.READ MORE: UPDATED: Freedom Convoy organizer Lich granted bail.March 15, 2022 – John Carpay, founder and president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) weighted in on Lich's arrest and called her a "political prisoner." .READ MORE: CARPAY: Outrageous bail conditions make Tamara Lich a political prisoner.March 15, 2022 – Parliament opened an unprecedented inquiry into Liberal actions against the Freedom Convoy, said Blacklock’s Reporter. The 11-member panel has one year to determine why the Liberals invoked extraordinary police powers against truckers..On February 14, the Liberals invoked the Emergencies Act to declare truckers’ blockade of Parliament an “illegal assembly.” Police arrested 197 protesters and froze the bank accounts of 257 individuals and trucking companies worth at least $7.8 million, by official estimate..READ MORE: Inquiry opens into Liberal actions against Freedom Convoy.March 24, 2022 - Freedom Convoy organizers Lich and Barber are both facing five years in prison after Ottawa police laid several new charges against them. The two organizers are now jointly accused of mischief, counselling mischief, intimidation, counselling intimidation, counselling obstruction of police, and obstructing police..Previously, Lich only had one charge of counselling mischief..READ MORE: Jail time now on the table for Lich and Barber.March 25, 2022 – The JCCF said Lich will appeal bail conditions imposed on her by the Ontario Superior Court..READ MORE: Lich appeals bail conditions citing violations of her Charter rights.March 27, 2022 - Justin Swanson, a fourth generation Canadian Farmer according to his YouTube post, wrote a song and put it out on social media, receiving nearly 19,000 views to date. . Justin Swanson song for Tamara LichJustin Swanson song for Tamara Lich .April 12, 2022 – Lich hired Ottawa defence lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, a partner in the Ottawa firm Greenspon Granger Hill..Greenspon — a specialist in both criminal defence and civil litigation — was the defence counsel in the Momin Khawaja terrorist trial, just one of the high-profile cases he’s handled..READ MORE: Lich hires high-profile defence lawyer for Freedom Convoy charges.April 26, 2022 – Lich was awarded the JCCF's 2022 George Jonas Freedom Award.. Tamara Lich acceptance speechTamara Lich acceptance speech for the JCCF's 2022 George Jonas Freedom Award .“The Justice Centre is pleased to present the 2022 George Jonas Freedom Award to Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Ottawa convoy who united thousands of Canadians across the country in protest of lockdowns and mandatory vaccine policies,” the JCCF said in a press release..George Jonas was a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, whose family settled in Canada. He went on to become a celebrated National Post columnist and an outspoken advocate for freedom and civil rights..READ MORE: UPDATED: Lich to receive annual JCCF freedom award.May 14, 2022 – Carleton University criminology professor Darryl Davies called Lich's treatment by the Canadian justice system “absolutely repugnant” and said she was treated worse in the courtroom than multiple child murderer Clifford Olson..READ MORE: Davies claims Freedom Convoy leader Lich treated worse than Clifford Olson.May 19, 2022 – Lich was accused of breaching her bail conditions and the Crown prosecution argued she should go back to jail until her trial..READ MORE: Ottawa Crown prosecutors argue Lich breached bail conditions.May 25, 2022 – During Lich's bail hearing, Ontario Superior Court Justice Kevin Phillips disagreed with the Crown's lawyer who said Lich had violated her bail conditions. Phillips also said Lich "having had a taste of jail," mitigated her risk of reoffending..The judge said he did not concur that Lich breached her release conditions by agreeing to receive an award. He added that Lich can be trusted to respect the conditions of her release..READ MORE: UPDATED: Judge rules Lich can stay out of jail. Tamara LichFreedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich .June 25, 2022 - Lich attended an Alberta Prosperity Project BBQ at Chris Scott's Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, AB where she took to the stage with her country band, Holy Diesel.. Tamara Lich at Alberta Prosperity Project BBQ at Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, ABTamara Lich at Alberta Prosperity Project BBQ at Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, AB .June 28, 2022 – Lich was arrested, again, for breaching her bail conditions..According to Keith Wilson, the lawyer who represents Lich on her non-criminal cases, she was taken into custody in her hometown of Medicine Hat, AB, then transported back to Ottawa within days of being arrested. .The RCMP confirmed Lich was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching her release order. .READ MORE: Convoy organizer Lich arrested in Medicine Hat for breaching bail conditions.July 5, 2022 – Lich's bail hearing ended without a decision being made by the Justice of the Peace. The Crown is seeking to revoke bail for Lich after accusing her of breached the conditions of her bail by appearing alongside a fellow convoy organizer at an awards banquet. .READ MORE: Tamara Lich's bail hearing ends without a decision.July 6, 2022 - Moiz Karimjee, the lead Crown prosecutor in charge of the case against Lich, donated more than $17,000 to the Liberal Party since 2013..First reported by True North News, according to Elections Canada, Karimjee donated 29 times to various Liberal Party efforts..READ MORE: Lead Crown prosecutor against Lich donated $17,000 to Liberal party.July 8, 2022 – Lich was again denied bail for violating the conditions of her release and will remain in jail until her trial.."Your detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice," Justice of the Peace Paul Harris told the court..READ MORE: Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich is denied bail, will remain in custody.July 8, 2022 – The Freedom Convoy inquiry moved a step closer to public hearings with recommended taxpayer funding for participants’ legal fees and expenses. The Commission denied a funding request by the group Citizens For Freedom..According to Justice Paul Rouleau, head of the Public Order Emergency Commission. "Citizens for Freedom identifies itself as a non-profit that is made up of demonstrators against mandates including vaccination mandates.".READ MORE: Ahead of Freedom Convoy inquiry, group Citizens for Freedom is denied funding request.July 11, 2022 – Alberta civil liberties lawyer Derek From spoke with the Western Standard about Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich's legal troubles and shared his take on the legal ramifications of her ordeal..From said Lich has been made a "political prisoner" because she successfully organized an engaging protest. While most claims surrounding "illegal" Freedom Convoy activities have been dismissed, From said Lich remains in prison on charges of "mischief" and was brought back into custody just before Canada Day for allegedly "breaching her bail conditions.".READ MORE: WATCH: Alberta lawyer says Lich now a political prisoner for 'embarrassing' feds.July 13, 2022 – Former Conservative MP and former Maverick Party interim Leader Jay Hill weighed in on Tamara Lich’s incarceration on Triggered with Cory Morgan..READ MORE: WATCH: Jay Hill on Tamara Lich's incarceration & federal issues.July 13, 2022 - Preston Manning said if Tamara Lich was a Liberal she would be lionized by the left for her efforts with the truckers Freedom Convoy.."Justice must ultimately be served in the case of Tamara Lich. And when it is, a great debt of gratitude will be owed to her by all of us for what she has patiently and heroically endured," said Manning..READ MORE: Manning says Lich going through 'unconscionable' ordeal.July 13, 2022 – Another GiveSendGo crowdfunding campaign was created, this time to raise cash for Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich..At the time of reporting, the GiveSendGo campaign has raised $25,729. Organizers on the campaign site are appealing for funds so Lich can cover expenses she and her family are struggling to cover since Lich lost her job as a result of being returned to jail..READ MORE: Friends of Lich launch fresh GiveSendGo fundraiser.July 20, 2022 – While Lich remained in custody, many Canadians expressed outrage as others who've been charged and convicted of violent crimes walk freely among the public..Incensed Lich supporters highlighted on social media that a BC man who recently pled guilty to assaulting a woman in a Vancouver alley will face no jail time..READ MORE: Tamara Lich supporters outraged as violent offenders walk free.July 25, 2022 – Stockwell Day gave a warning to Tamara Lich while she is behind bars for “political crimes.” During an online event in July, Day warned Lich about her physical safety in jail and to stay strong mentally, as she has many supporters behind her..READ MORE: Day warns Lich about her safety in jail.July 26, 2022 – Tamara Lich is granted bail, again..Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich once again been ordered released from jail after the Ontario Superior Court found errors in the decision to revoke her bail.. Tamara Lich released from jail for a second timeTamara Lich released from jail for a second time .Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman ruled the earlier order on July 8 for Lich’s detainment was “inappropriate.” Goodman said Justice of the Peace Paul Harris had made “erroneous” conclusions and “misapprehended” the evidence against Lich when deciding she broke her bail conditions..READ MORE: Tamara Lich is granted bail, again.Lich was also granted a new bail hearing..READ MORE: Tamara Lich is granted new bail hearing.August 11, 2022 - Tamara Lich spoke at the JCCF's George Jonas Freedom Awards dinner in Calgary. . Tamara Lich and friendsTamara Lich and friends at JCCF Freedom awards in Calgary .Lich received a standing ovation from the audience as she took the stage and thanked attendees for their support. She looked well and said she was humbled to be there and to be recognized for the JCCF's Freedom Award. .During her speech, Lich said she still has "faith in humanity, although sometimes not in some of humanity's ideas." .She said she understood some of her views position her as an outsider and argued that "Today, conservatives and liberals are the same, their only difference is cosmetic." ."The old Canada I grew up in is dying, but the new Canada taking shape does not resemble anything I want for my grandchildren." ."We must stop our whining, our hand ringing, our sulking and complaining," Lich said, adding, "It's time to take a stand.". Tamara Lich speaking at the JCCF Freedom awards in CalgaryTamara Lich speaks at the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms George Jonas banquet on August 11th 2022, in Calgary. .Lich, on the advice of her Lawyer Keith Wilson, was unable to speak with the Western Standard due to her bail restrictions. According to Wilson, "there is a fine line as to what Tamara can say without the threat of being rearrested." .Brian Peckford, the former premier of Newfoundland and the last living signatory of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, was also a speaker for the event.
