Differing stories are emerging out of the Coutts border crisis with Global News reporting how stranded truckers felt unsafe yet the same man was seen dancing and donating money to the freedom convoy..A Global News reporter interviewed a group of truckers in Coutts who said they were trapped in the blockade..“I spoke with a number of truckers who are now stuck here and just want to get home,” said the reporter..One of the men interviewed responded saying he had been stuck for three days with, “no showers, nothing, anything.”.When the reporter asked if the men felt safe, the same man replied, “No, no, no safe.”.The reporter went on to say the truckers said they felt “like hostages caught up in a blockade that doesn’t represent them.”.But, in other footage shared from onsite truckers, the main man speaking for the group interviewed by Global News can be seen dancing and enjoying himself one evening. In another video, the same trucker can be seen donating money..“This good fellow is hoping to donate money to the freedom convoy, giving the truck drivers food,” a man could be heard saying in the video while the trucker handed what looked like a few $20s to another man and shook his hand..The Western Standard contacted Global News for a comment but didn’t hear back..Coutts resident Kendra Bovingdon said reports of truckers blocking access to the small village are also false..Bovingdon told the Western Standard it’s the RCMP who “have blocked all access to the village and are demanding that we show them proof of who we are and what our business in the village is.”.“I can’t even go and get my mail without feeling like I travelled back in time to 1943..“The RCMP are the real terrorists out here!”.Blockade organizers and participating truckers said they have been frustrated with the “misinformation” being spread by mainstream media and the RCMP..Nick Friesen — a 20-year cross-border trucker and one of the blockade organizers — said the coverage from mainstream media has been “terrible.”.Friesen said he was present when the trucker Global interviewed donated money to the convoy and said he gave them $100 US in cash..“It seemed like he was having a good time and was in good spirits when he donated us the money,” said Friesen..“I have no idea why he would have said he didn’t feel safe to Global.”.Friesen said he was also shocked to hear Premier Jason Kenney say RCMP officers were assaulted at the blockade..“No one was assaulted here. No officers, no one,” said Friesen..In a televised press conference on Tuesday, Kenney condemned the blockade calling it a “serious situation” pointing to officers being assaulted, “swarmed,” and police cars being rammed..RCMP the next day refuted those allegations..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
Differing stories are emerging out of the Coutts border crisis with Global News reporting how stranded truckers felt unsafe yet the same man was seen dancing and donating money to the freedom convoy..A Global News reporter interviewed a group of truckers in Coutts who said they were trapped in the blockade..“I spoke with a number of truckers who are now stuck here and just want to get home,” said the reporter..One of the men interviewed responded saying he had been stuck for three days with, “no showers, nothing, anything.”.When the reporter asked if the men felt safe, the same man replied, “No, no, no safe.”.The reporter went on to say the truckers said they felt “like hostages caught up in a blockade that doesn’t represent them.”.But, in other footage shared from onsite truckers, the main man speaking for the group interviewed by Global News can be seen dancing and enjoying himself one evening. In another video, the same trucker can be seen donating money..“This good fellow is hoping to donate money to the freedom convoy, giving the truck drivers food,” a man could be heard saying in the video while the trucker handed what looked like a few $20s to another man and shook his hand..The Western Standard contacted Global News for a comment but didn’t hear back..Coutts resident Kendra Bovingdon said reports of truckers blocking access to the small village are also false..Bovingdon told the Western Standard it’s the RCMP who “have blocked all access to the village and are demanding that we show them proof of who we are and what our business in the village is.”.“I can’t even go and get my mail without feeling like I travelled back in time to 1943..“The RCMP are the real terrorists out here!”.Blockade organizers and participating truckers said they have been frustrated with the “misinformation” being spread by mainstream media and the RCMP..Nick Friesen — a 20-year cross-border trucker and one of the blockade organizers — said the coverage from mainstream media has been “terrible.”.Friesen said he was present when the trucker Global interviewed donated money to the convoy and said he gave them $100 US in cash..“It seemed like he was having a good time and was in good spirits when he donated us the money,” said Friesen..“I have no idea why he would have said he didn’t feel safe to Global.”.Friesen said he was also shocked to hear Premier Jason Kenney say RCMP officers were assaulted at the blockade..“No one was assaulted here. No officers, no one,” said Friesen..In a televised press conference on Tuesday, Kenney condemned the blockade calling it a “serious situation” pointing to officers being assaulted, “swarmed,” and police cars being rammed..RCMP the next day refuted those allegations..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
