All charges against Freedom Convoy protestor Evan Blackman related to his participation in it have been dropped. “My client and I are thrilled with this outcome,” said Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF)-funded lawyer Chris Fleury in a Tuesday press release. “After almost 20 months, Mr. Blackman can finally put this matter behind him.” The JCCF said Blackman had been charged with mischief and obstructing police. At the time of his arrest, it said police were conducting an enforcement action in downtown Ottawa, clearing the streets of protestors. Evidence against him consisted of a 14-minute drone video and the testimony of one officer who was on the scene. For about nine minutes of the video, he is recorded as part of a group of protestors standing face to face against a line of police officers on Rideau Street. In one part of the video, he de-escalates the situation by holding other protestors back and putting his hand up to stop them from confronting police. He is seen kneeling in front of police during the five minutes leading up to his arrest. While on his knees, he takes off his hat, puts his hand on his chest and sings O Canada. He was arrested and released from custody the same day. Once he was released, he realized he could not access three of his bank accounts. His bank accounts had been frozen pursuant to the Emergencies Act. The JCCF acknowledged Blackman pled not guilty to all charges and faced a trial on Monday. Because of the limited evidence and poor memory of the police officer regarding key details of the alleged criminal offences, it said the judge dismissed all charges against him. Charges against Freedom Convoy protestor JW were dropped in November. READ MORE: Charges against Freedom Convoy protestor dropped“The right to peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy, which is why the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Charter,” said JCCF lawyer Henna Parmar. JW was charged with interfering with the lawful use and enjoyment of property of downtown Ottawa residents, failure to obey a court order, and obstruction of justice for failing to identify himself to police. The court order he allegedly disobeyed was made under Ontario’s state of emergency to deal with the Ambassador Bridge Blockade.
All charges against Freedom Convoy protestor Evan Blackman related to his participation in it have been dropped. “My client and I are thrilled with this outcome,” said Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF)-funded lawyer Chris Fleury in a Tuesday press release. “After almost 20 months, Mr. Blackman can finally put this matter behind him.” The JCCF said Blackman had been charged with mischief and obstructing police. At the time of his arrest, it said police were conducting an enforcement action in downtown Ottawa, clearing the streets of protestors. Evidence against him consisted of a 14-minute drone video and the testimony of one officer who was on the scene. For about nine minutes of the video, he is recorded as part of a group of protestors standing face to face against a line of police officers on Rideau Street. In one part of the video, he de-escalates the situation by holding other protestors back and putting his hand up to stop them from confronting police. He is seen kneeling in front of police during the five minutes leading up to his arrest. While on his knees, he takes off his hat, puts his hand on his chest and sings O Canada. He was arrested and released from custody the same day. Once he was released, he realized he could not access three of his bank accounts. His bank accounts had been frozen pursuant to the Emergencies Act. The JCCF acknowledged Blackman pled not guilty to all charges and faced a trial on Monday. Because of the limited evidence and poor memory of the police officer regarding key details of the alleged criminal offences, it said the judge dismissed all charges against him. Charges against Freedom Convoy protestor JW were dropped in November. READ MORE: Charges against Freedom Convoy protestor dropped“The right to peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy, which is why the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Charter,” said JCCF lawyer Henna Parmar. JW was charged with interfering with the lawful use and enjoyment of property of downtown Ottawa residents, failure to obey a court order, and obstruction of justice for failing to identify himself to police. The court order he allegedly disobeyed was made under Ontario’s state of emergency to deal with the Ambassador Bridge Blockade.
