“Rebel Leader Sentenced to House Arrest for Assaulting Security Guards During Okanagan Protest”
In a dramatic turn of events, a leader of the protest movement against public health orders in British Columbia’s Okanagan region has been handed a 120-day house arrest sentence for assaulting two security guards and criminal contempt. David Lindsay, convicted of assault charges in December 2023, faced the music on Friday as Kelowna provincial court judge Cathaline Heinrichs delivered the sentence.
The courtroom heard how Lindsay got physical with the guards while attempting to enter an Interior Health building in Kelowna during a “Freedom Rally” demonstration in August 2021. The rally, part of a series of protests against COVID-19 related restrictions, drew crowds ranging from dozens to hundreds in downtown Kelowna.
Despite being warned by RCMP officers and previously banned from the premises, Lindsay persisted in his attempts to access the building. Representing himself during the trial, Lindsay presented cellphone videos as evidence of the altercation with the guards, claiming his right to enter the building.
Judge Heinrichs didn’t mince words as she pronounced Lindsay guilty, highlighting the risks his behavior posed to public safety during the protest. In addition to the assault charges, Lindsay was found in contempt of court for remarks made to the judge earlier in the proceedings.
Lindsay’s sentence includes 120 days of house arrest for each assault charge and an additional 30 days for criminal contempt, all to be served concurrently. He will also face a two-year probation, three-year firearms prohibition, and a victim fine surcharge of $100 for each assault count. However, Lindsay has filed an appeal and is seeking bail while awaiting the outcome.
Known for his history of challenging legal authorities, Lindsay’s confrontational approach has landed him in trouble before. Previously labeled a “vexatious litigant” by the B.C. Supreme Court, Lindsay’s legal battles have spanned multiple provinces, showcasing his persistent defiance against the establishment.
The courtroom drama surrounding Lindsay’s case underscores the tensions surrounding public health orders and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to protest them. With the outcome of Lindsay’s appeal pending, the spotlight remains on the ongoing clashes between personal freedoms and public safety measures.
In a dramatic turn of events, a leader of the protest movement against public health orders in British Columbia’s Okanagan region has been handed a 120-day house arrest sentence for assaulting two security guards and criminal contempt. David Lindsay, convicted of assault charges in December 2023, faced the music on Friday as Kelowna provincial court judge Cathaline Heinrichs delivered the sentence.
The courtroom heard how Lindsay got physical with the guards while attempting to enter an Interior Health building in Kelowna during a “Freedom Rally” demonstration in August 2021. The rally, part of a series of protests against COVID-19 related restrictions, drew crowds ranging from dozens to hundreds in downtown Kelowna.
Despite being warned by RCMP officers and previously banned from the premises, Lindsay persisted in his attempts to access the building. Representing himself during the trial, Lindsay presented cellphone videos as evidence of the altercation with the guards, claiming his right to enter the building.
Judge Heinrichs didn’t mince words as she pronounced Lindsay guilty, highlighting the risks his behavior posed to public safety during the protest. In addition to the assault charges, Lindsay was found in contempt of court for remarks made to the judge earlier in the proceedings.
Lindsay’s sentence includes 120 days of house arrest for each assault charge and an additional 30 days for criminal contempt, all to be served concurrently. He will also face a two-year probation, three-year firearms prohibition, and a victim fine surcharge of $100 for each assault count. However, Lindsay has filed an appeal and is seeking bail while awaiting the outcome.
Known for his history of challenging legal authorities, Lindsay’s confrontational approach has landed him in trouble before. Previously labeled a “vexatious litigant” by the B.C. Supreme Court, Lindsay’s legal battles have spanned multiple provinces, showcasing his persistent defiance against the establishment.
The courtroom drama surrounding Lindsay’s case underscores the tensions surrounding public health orders and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to protest them. With the outcome of Lindsay’s appeal pending, the spotlight remains on the ongoing clashes between personal freedoms and public safety measures.
