Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been denied bail and will remain in custody to await trial on criminal charges related to the Ottawa protest. Justice of the Peace Paul Harris said Friday that Lich’s defense had failed to prove she could not reoffend after she was charged last week with violating the terms of her release. Not meeting her parole conditions, Harris said in his ruling that “Ms. The Lich chose to exercise her freedom.” Her lawyer, Lawrence Greenspan, said Leach was “disappointed” by the decision and vowed to apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for a bail review in hopes of appealing Harris’ decision. Lich was arrested last month and charged with violating a condition barring her from contacting ten people — except in the presence of their legal counsel — associated with the “Freedom Convoy.” In addition, Lich still faces a single charge of breach of recognizance, as well as other criminal charges related to her involvement in the protest that blocked Ottawa earlier this year. In June, Lich attended a gala in Toronto where she received a “Freedom Award” and was photographed with protest spokesperson Tom Marazzo. At Tuesday’s bail hearing, the Crown played a video showing Lich speaking briefly to Marazzo after her acceptance speech. Ottawa police detective Chris Benson also testified that Leach sat at the same table as Marazzo at the gala. Greenspan argued that if there was any contact between Leach and Marazzo, it was brief and suggested that Leach was not in breach of bail, as lawyers representing her in a civil suit were at the event. Harris said in his ruling that the defense presented no evidence that Leach’s legal counsel was present at the table or in the video. He said it was “absolutely ridiculous” to think the situation could be ruled out just by having lawyers at the same event. “To add even more fuel to the fire, Ms. Lich chose to pose with arms around Mr. Marazzo,” Harris said in his ruling. “One would find it confusing.” Harris also cited new evidence presented by the Crown stemming from a text message between her and parade organizer Chris Barber, charging her with intimidation and obstructing a peace officer, among other offenses. Harris called the text messages “incriminating” of Leach’s role as organizer of the convoy. Lich was first charged in February when police moved to end the protest after nearly three weeks. He was released on bail in March and returned to Medicine Hat, Alta., after promising to abide by his bail conditions. A surety has agreed to oversee her release and post a $20,000 bond. The Crown said during the bail hearing that it will require the surety to pay the money into court.
