Freedom Convoy leader Pat King was allegedly arrested by Ottawa police in a moment captured by the protest organizer himself during a Facebook livestream.
“I am being arrested by these officers right now,” King told viewers on a Facebook livestream Friday afternoon. “I am being arrested. We will talk to you guys soon.”
King’s arrest would be the third of the convoy’s most vocal proponents. His fellow organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were arrested and charged on Thursday.
King’s arrest comes as Ottawa police cracked down on protesters, canceling the day’s House of Commons sitting and closing in on Parliament Hill. The department told Newsweek that the total number of arrests from Friday’s police operations has not been announced as the investigation is still ongoing.
Ed Jones/AFP
In the livestream, King is heard asking an officer, from inside his vehicle, what he is being arrested for. The officer is heard telling the protest organizer that his arrest is for mischief, counseling to commit the offense of mischief, counseling to obstruct police and counseling to commit the offense of disobeying a court order.
King responds by saying he would like to contact his lawyer.
The officer says he just wants to “make sure everything is safe” to which King tells him “You are safe man, you always have been.”
Ottawa police also did not confirm or deny to Newsweek that King was apprehended on Friday, adding that details of an individual’s arrest would not be released until charges are laid.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
