Two males who grew to become the faces of a COVID-19 protest blockade at a key border crossing between Alberta and the USA practically three years in the past will study their fates Friday.
Gerhard (George) Janzen and Marco Van Huigenbos, together with a 3rd man, Alex Van Herk, had been discovered responsible final 12 months of mischief over $5,000 for his or her actions on the protest over COVID-19 measures and vaccine mandates.
The sentencing listening to went forward for Van Huigenbos and Janzen Thursday. Lawyer Michael Johnston informed courtroom that Van Herk had fired him. He requested a 30-day delay.
The Crown has really helpful a nine-month sentence for Van Huigenbos and 6 months for Janzen as a result of he performed a lesser management position within the blockade.
Janzen addressed the courtroom on the finish of the day, providing an apology for the residents of Milk River and Coutts and for the stress the blockade brought about. He stated the intention was to trigger change via peaceable means and never by breaking legal guidelines.
“The choice to take part within the blockade was pushed by robust convictions. Nevertheless, I remorse that our strategies obstructed the lives of our neighborhood members and introduced unwelcome stress and chaos,” Janzen stated, studying from a ready assertion.
“I am dedicated to studying from this expertise and searching for extra constructive and law-abiding methods to specific my views sooner or later.”
Van Huigenbos determined to not deal with the courtroom however he did communicate with The Canadian Press exterior courtroom on the finish of the day.
“This isn’t one thing I’ve ever performed so there’s a number of emotions, a number of feelings,” he stated.
Van Huigenbos stated will probably be a reduction to see the case come to a detailed.
“I will not miss coming again right here,” he stated, and understands he could find yourself behind bars.
“It is a actuality that I face however no matter that actuality we’re right here, we confirmed up, we fought the battle that we felt was there from the start … ramifications apart and now it is within the palms of God, finally.”
Johnston informed Justice Keith Yamauchi that Van Huigenbos deserved a stiffer sentence.
“These two males will not be on the identical stage,” Johnston stated.
“It’s the Crown’s view that, realistically, probably the most applicable sentence for these gents is to condemn them to a time period of jail — actual jail.”
Johnston stated the actual fact it was a political protest does not reduce its severity.
“Politically motivated crime at all times is a calculated resolution, we do not change our governments on this nation via prison acts,” Johnston stated.
“This was the hostage taking of a freeway with the purpose of making political change.”
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