Laura Osman, The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:34 PM EDT Last Updated on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:08 PM EDT
OTTAWA – Tyson “Freedom George” Billing walked out of Ottawa court on Wednesday, waving a Canadian flag with a cacophony of cheers and horns after pleading guilty to a charge related to the protest of the seized convoy. of the city at the beginning of the year.
Billings spent 116 days in jail before pleading guilty to counseling for wrongdoing. The Crown dropped other charges, such as intimidation, obstruction of police, crossing and disobeying a court order.
“I do not regret it. I am a freedom fighter, “Billings said outside the courthouse, minutes after his release, to the delight of some 50 supporters, including some who took part in the February protests.
Nicknamed “Freedom George” by his fellow protesters, Billings was a key figure in the three-week protest against the restrictions of COVID-19 and the Liberal government, although Crown Councilor Moiz Karimjee was careful to point out that he was not one of the leaders.
Protesters in large teams and other trucks blocked the streets of the center for weeks and set up camps, forcing companies to close and causing a sensation of what police and politicians described as “anguish” in the center. of Ottawa.
According to the consensus statement read aloud in court, Billings was caught on social media videos disobeying police checkpoints designed to keep people out of downtown Ottawa during the protest and encouraging others to frustrate the checkpoints as well.
Billings also registered as a belligerent with police and encouraged other protesters to “keep the line.”
“I was stuck in the moment, sure, who wouldn’t,” Billings said after leaving court. “I don’t regret anything.”
Billings said he “went to jail for the children” for masking warrants to be revoked in schools.
Karimjee told the court he could have tried to prove the other allegations against Billings and ask for a longer prison sentence, but chose not to do so in light of the fact that Billings is the first figure in the convoy to accept responsibility. of their actions.
Billings was sentenced to full time and six months probation on the condition that he keep the peace.
“You don’t have to break the law, no matter what your views are on various issues,” Karimjee said.
Prior to his release, Billings overheard court proceedings from the prisoner’s box with his arms folded over his black T-shirt that said “Fear God, don’t COVID.”
Billings’ defense attorney Jake Chadi told the court his client believed he was “morally justified” in doing what he did during the Ottawa protest.
“He has every opportunity, every right to do what he did. But he can’t break the law,” and Billings understands that, Chadi said.
Superior Court Judge Robert Maranger said he agreed to release Billings at the joint request of the Crown and the defense because Billings accepted responsibility.
He said the conviction is not retribution. He also said it was okay to believe in a cause, but that it could be “jumped out of.”
Billings was originally co-accused with prominent protest organizer Pat King and was described in the statement of facts agreed as a “close association” with King.
Now that the balance of Billings’ charges has been withdrawn, King will face those charges alone and his trial is expected to continue as planned.
Billings said he would return to Alberta to “heal.” His lawyer told the court that Billings plans to work on his family’s farm in High Prairie, Alta. and occupy a job in logging.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 15, 2022.