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One other Freedom Convoy protester arrested through the 2022 Ambassador Bridge blockade has had his costs dropped, based on The Democracy Fund.
Kevin Bindner was charged with mischief and disobeying a court docket order. However The Democracy Fund mentioned Friday these costs have been formally withdrawn in a Windsor courtroom on January 12, after he made a $500 donation to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Basis.
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“The proper to protest is a foundational democratic proper in Canada,” mentioned Adam Blake-Gallipeau, a lawyer with The Democracy Fund who represented Bindner. “In lots of circumstances, we argue that this proper has been violated. We are going to proceed to defend particular person rights and freedoms.”
No less than 46 folks have been arrested within the wake of the week-long bridge blockade by protesters offended about COVID-19 mandates. Dozens of individuals have been charged with mischief for blocking entry to the bridge and for disobeying a court docket order after a Superior Court docket justice issued an injunction.
There have been some convictions, however most of the felony costs have been both quietly withdrawn or settled by way of different means.
The Democracy Fund, a charity based in 2021, mentioned it has represented 13 shoppers who have been criminally charged in connection to the Windsor protest.
The company mentioned it “promotes constitutional rights by way of litigation and public training,” and “helps an entry to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by authorities lockdowns and different public coverage responses to the pandemic.”
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The group mentioned in a media launch that 12 of the folks it represents had their costs both withdrawn or discharged.
One consumer was convicted and sentenced to probation. The Democracy Fund mentioned its legal professionals have filed a Discover of Attraction to have that sentence modified to a discharge.
The group mentioned Bindner’s costs have been withdrawn by way of an “different measures” course of, which don’t lead to a willpower of guilt or a felony document, however do require an acknowledgement of accountability.
The withdrawal of costs means Bindner’s trial, which was scheduled to start April 15, won’t go forward.
Blake-Gallipeau mentioned Bindner was arrested through the protests whereas crossing the road together with his spouse. He mentioned the Crown would have needed to set up past an inexpensive doubt not solely the obstruction of site visitors, however the intent behind such actions.
“We have been totally ready to proceed to trial as we believed Mr. Bindner had a powerful case,” mentioned Adam Blake-Gallipeau.
twilhelm@postmedia.com
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