Convoy organizers discussed playing ‘race card’ with Lich’s Métis heritage

While planning the convoy to Ottawa, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber appeared aware that racial identity could be raised in criticisms of it.

Organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” discussed using their ties to Métis identity to play the “race card” as part of an overall strategy to control their public image and garner sympathy for their cause, text messages suggest.

The messages between Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, obtained by Ottawa police and entered as evidence by the Crown in Lich’s bail hearing this week, indicate how acutely aware the organizers were of the optics of the protest.

The convoy’s connection to Pat King, who has spread racist conspiracy theories, as well as the appearance of Nazi and Confederate flags in the early days of the protest, prompted accusations that it was sympathetic to white nationalist causes.

While planning the convoy, Lich and Barber appeared aware that racial identity could be raised in criticisms of it. Lich has described herself as Métis, and on Jan. 20, about a week before demonstrators arrived in Ottawa, Barber texted Lich that his wife was Métis as well.

“It’s going to work in our favour,” replied Lich. “Playing the race card works both ways lol.”

That same day, Lich congratulated Barber on his interview on a podcast, describing it as very “PC” — or politically correct — “but also direct.”

Barber said to Lich on Jan. 22 that all of his years of “social media trolling” were going to pay off. “I’ll spin and use it all against them,” he said in reference to those critiquing the convoy.

The protest against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government swarmed the capital’s downtown with large trucks, blocking streets and blaring loud horns for more than three weeks. Protesters also blockaded multiple border crossings. It all prompted the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act and the police to use force to clear the crowd.