Image credit: CTV NEWS
By Scott Taylor
Now that the self-proclaimed Freedom Convoy has been forcibly expulsed from the nation’s capital, it is perhaps a good time to start debunking the popular myths that sprung up in support of this protest movement.
The initial genesis for the convoy was to send a clear message to the Canadian government that cross-border truckers wanted an exemption on a mandatory vaccine mandate. Trucking associations were quick to point out that over 90% of Canadian truckers were already double-vaxxed, so this was protest, from the outset, was representative of only a tiny minority of drivers.
The second clue that this rolling protest had been hijacked was the composition of the organizers.
They were not hard-bitten teamsters with a career history of battling for truckers’ rights within the workplace. Not by a long shot.
Now known by Freedom Convoy zealots as the ‘spark that lit the flame,’ Tamara Lich is an energy industry worker. She was active in the Western separatist movement known as ‘Wexit’ while living in Alberta, and after moving to Manitoba she joined the Maverick Party.
Lich is not a medical expert nor does she have a vested interest in the trucking industry. At time of writing she remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing on a charge of counselling to commit mischief.
Ditto for fellow convoy organizer Pat King. This chap is also not a medical expert or a trucking enthusiast. He too has long been a rebel looking for a cause whether that be in the form of Yellow Vests Canada or his own Roll with Pat movement. King has cultivated a following with his videos espousing racist sentiments. Alarmingly, King often films his rants seated in front of a Canadian Armed Forces ensign, despite the fact that he never served in uniform. At one point King had to apologize for having created the false impression that his leg amputation was the result of his service in Afghanistan. It was, in fact, due to a workplace mishap here in Canada.
That is not to say that a large number of military veterans didn’t support the Freedom Convoy initiative. It is in this regard, when coupled with alleged ties to white nationalist or far right groups that this takes a far more sinister turn.
One of those active in the occupation of Ottawa was none other than a chap named Jeremy MacKenzie.
Unlike King, MacKenzie did indeed serve as a combat solider with the CAF and he had at least one tour in Afghanistan.
What he is now better known for is his role as the figure head for a group known as the Plaid Army.
MacKenzie is also the creator of the concept of a fictional North American nation state that he has dubbed ‘Diagolon.’ According to MacKenzie, this state of Diagolon would stretch diagonally from Alaska to Florida and encompass what he describes as the ‘sane’ regions of Canada and the U.S.A.
MacKenzie has gone so far as to design a flag for this new nation of Diagolon. It is a white strip which cuts a black background diagonally and he has nicknamed it “ol-slashy.”
Those who follow MacKenzie and his Diagolon movement have adopted the phrase “ Gun or Rope” as their solution to any ideological enemies who oppose them.
This list would include the Liberal government and the mainstream media. “This is the media’s baby. They built and supported it and pushed for this race war, this civil war,” MacKenzie reportedly stated.
MacKenzie is facing charges in Nova Scotia for weapon possession violations, and the alleged careless use of a firearm during a drunken incident that was video taped and posted online. The charges have not been proven in court.
However, a far more concerning development involves the RCMP arrests in relation to the vehicle blockade that was established at Coutts, Alberta.
Following a police raid wherein a large cache of weapons and ammunition were seized, the RCMP announced charges against four suspects for conspiracy to commit murder. One of those charged in the incident is a fellow named Chris Lysak.
Coincidentally, Lysak is a friend of Jeremy MacKenzie who reportedly referred to Lysak on social media as the ‘head of Diagolon’s security.’ To further reinforce the connection, it was noted that a tactical vest seized in the Coutts police raid sported the black and white symbol of Diagolon that MacKenzie calls ‘ol-slashy.’
When asked about any possible involvement, MacKenzie claimed that the Diagolon patches are simply a “branding – like a hockey team or something.”
The last time I checked, no professional sports team uses the catch phrase “Gun or Rope,” nor do they make public statements about engaging media with violence.
For all of those who wish to portray the Ottawa occupation as a trucker supported freedom protest, you need to start taking a closer look at these organizers.
You got played.
