A key figure in a trucker protest that jammed Canada’s capital and sparked a global movement against Covid mandates was found guilty Friday for his role in the blockade.
The self-styled “Freedom Convoy” of big rig drivers and protesters rolled into Ottawa in early 2022 from across Canada to express anger at government protocols imposed to contain Covid-19.
After three weeks of turmoil, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked rarely used emergency powers to dislodge the protesters.
Pat King was among hundreds of people arrested, and the first of the protest leaders to be convicted. Two other organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber faced a separate criminal trial but those verdicts are not expected until 2025.
King faces up to 10 years in prison after being convicted on five charges, including mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and disobeying a court order.
Acquitted of more serious charges, he smiled at a …