Pre-trial conference scheduled for Coutts protestor

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 23, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

One of multiple individuals arrested in relation to the protest at the Coutts border earlier this year, had his matters in Lethbridge provincial court Friday.

Eastin Stewart Oler, one of nine individuals charged with mischief by impeding the lawful use of property and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, had his matters in court Friday where a pre-trial conference was scheduled prior to scheduling a multi-day trial.

Oler is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 5 for a pre-trial conference.

Oler was charged along with Ursula Allred, Johnson Chichow Law, Evan Colenutt, Justin Martin, Joanne Person, Janx Zaremba, Luke Berk, and Jaclyne Martin. They were released shortly after their arrests.

RCMP reported they arrested the individuals during the protest at the Coutts border, after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition.

A blockade of trucks and vehicles had been at the crossing since Jan. 29, but protestors began dispersing in early February in response to the discovery of weapons.

The accused who were released on bail are required to abide by several conditions, including a promise to pay $2,000 if they breach any of the conditions. They must not contact each other, or go within 200 metres of any protests or protest events, and, with the exception of Person, they can’t be south of Milk River. They are not to possess any weapons and they must reside at specific addresses. Oler, Allred, Law and Zaremba were granted permission to live in Calgary, while Berk will reside in Red Deer, Martin in Turner Valley, and Person in Coutts.

The lawyer for Johnson Chichow Law will be back in court July 25, to be in front of Dalidowicz when he returns. Joanne Person’s next court hearing is set for July 25, and Janx Zaremba is set to stand Trial on Dec. 6.
-with files from Delon Shurtz

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