Pat King's social media videos shown at convoy trial

David Fraser | Posted: May 17, 2024 8:00 AM | Last Updated: May 17

'Honk those horns, let the heavens hear you,' King told supporters in one video

Image | Pat King convoy trial 2024 ottawa

Caption: Pat King, who's facing nine charges for his role in what became the 2022 Freedom Convoy, arrives at the Ottawa Courthouse earlier this week. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

The third day of trial for a key figure in what became the Freedom Convoy continued Thursday with prosecutors showing videos from his social media feed for the first time.

Pat King has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including mischief and intimidation of police, for his role in the 2022 protest that took over downtown Ottawa for several weeks.

In one video, King describes co-ordinating the placement of trucks and laughs about clogging Kent Street, a main road near the parliamentary precinct.

At the time of the demonstrations, King had around 354,000 followers on one of his social media pages. It was a must-watch for many participants in the protest as well as those following the events from elsewhere.

"We have all of Ottawa gridlocked right now," he said in a Jan. 31, 2022 video that was introduced as evidence Thursday while an Ottawa police officer was in the witness box.

Crown prosecutors are arguing King was a leader of the protest and used his influence to counsel others to break the law.

More than 30 videos are expected to be introduced as evidence as part of the Crown's case during the trial, which is expected to sit for three non-consecutive weeks and end in July.

Convoy leader Pat King heads to trial

Crown lays out arguments as Pat King goes to trial on conduct during 2022 convoy protest

In another video made on Feb. 7, 2022 one of six shown in court Thursday King tells his supporters to be silent because a Superior Court of Ontario had issued an injunction against the use of horns that day.

"We're not here to harass the citizens of Ottawa," he says, instructing them not to blast their horns for 10 days.

In the same video, he also says it's "pretty hilarious" that residents had not been able to sleep.

Image | FREEDOM CONVOY OTTAWA WEEK 3

Caption: A protester walks amid trucks parked near Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 17, 2022, shortly before being arrested. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

'Game on, let those horns go'

Prosecutors say King was directly involved in organizing a slow roll at the Ottawa airport and had encouraged others to take part in the crime of mischief, in part by telling them to continue honking their horns.

A day later, in a video shot on Feb. 8, he tells viewers he is "pissed off."

"It's game on, let those horns go, I don't care anymore," he says.

King tells supporters to "get to Ottawa" and to "honk those horns, let the heavens hear you."

What injunction? Questions arise around disregard for court order

In another video made Feb. 16, King is seen walking around the parliamentary precinct greeting supporters.

Throughout the video, people approach him to ask for his signature and to pose for photos, a testament to the sway his name carried.

"You are the reason why we're here. We drove five hours yesterday to get here," says an unidentified supporter in one video.

In another, a protester from Quebec City tells King that he has followed him "from the beginning."

More videos are expected to be entered into evidence as the trial continues.

Downtown witnesses also testify

Earlier in the week, the trial heard from one small business owner in the ByWard market and a downtown church administrator.

Each described their negative experiences during the protests, including lost revenue and unfriendly interactions with people downtown at the time.

Fewer than 10 witnesses are expected to be called by the Crown over the course of the judge-only trial.

If King is found guilty, prosecutors could seek a prison term of around five years.