Posts on social media suggest several groups of supporters will arrive at the Lethbridge court as protest organizer Marco Van Huigenbos, 32, – who is also a councilor in Fort Macleod, Alta. – as well as Alex Van Herk, 53, and George Janzen. 43, appear accused of mischief over $5,000. The men, along with a dozen others, were charged following protests over government restrictions related to the pandemic in late January and February. Marco Van Huygenbos was one of the organizers of the demonstration and was charged with mischief over $5,000. (Mirna Djukic/Radio-Canada) “Save the Coutts boys,” reads a widely shared poster promoting the rally on social media. He goes on to say that “the Trudeau government is demanding up to 10 years in prison for the Coutts protesters…we need your support.”
“A large crowd is expected”
In an interview with CBC News, Van Huigenbos said he expects a large turnout.
“What started as an invitation to friends and acquaintances for a few hundred people has turned into something that could double or tenfold,” he said.
“There’s a lot of people to support us, but it’s also to show support for what we’ve stood for and for the people who are still being held … without pre-trial bail.”
Groups depart from various locations in Manitoba and Alberta including Calgary, Fort McLeod, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler.
In a statement released Thursday night, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) said they are preparing for possible traffic congestion.
“A large crowd is expected to gather downtown at the courthouse site,” LPS said.
“Pending the arrival of a number of larger vehicles, police have identified several locations with available parking along the city’s lorry routes.”
Van Huigenbos headed to Ottawa after court
Fifteen people face charges in connection with the Coutts border blockades that lasted from January 29 to February 15. On February 14, the federal government invoked the Emergency Act, allowing temporary powers to manage ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions. That same day, the RCMP executed search warrants in Coutts, arresting more than a dozen protesters and seizing a cache of weapons, armor and ammunition. Left to right: Chris Carbert, 44, Anthony Olienick, 39, Jerry Morin, 40, and Christopher Lysak, 48, are each charged with conspiracy to kill RCMP officers near Coutts, Alta., v the duration of the border blockade and protests. (Carbert/Facebook, Coutts Convoy Restart/Facebook, Morin/Facebook, Instagram) Four men – Chris Carbert, Chris Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin – face the most serious charges, accused of conspiring to kill RCMP officers. They remain in custody and are due to go on trial next June. Van Huigenbos, Van Herk and Janzen were charged in September, seven months after the protests ended. Friday’s court appearance is expected to be largely procedural. After the court gathering, a barbecue is expected to be held to help raise funds for legal costs for the four men. The convoy is set to arrive in Lethbridge as the emergency law inquiry heads into another day of testimony in Ottawa. The commission is reviewing the federal government’s decision to invoke emergency powers to clear the crowds and vehicles that blocked the capital for more than three weeks last winter. After his court appearance Friday, Van Huigenbos is headed to Ottawa to testify.
