Two charges withdrawn against woman in Alberta border blockade case

Anti-mandate demonstrators gather as a truck convoy blocks the highway the busy U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alta., Monday, Jan. 31, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Two charges have been withdrawn against a woman involved in last year's blockade at the Canada-United States border crossing at Coutts, Alta.

A prosecutor has withdrawn charges of possession of a weapon and mischief causing property damage against Joanne Person.

Person, who is from Coutts, still faces a charge of dangerous driving in relation to the protest and is to appear in provincial court next month.

Police have said a pickup truck drove through the blockade in February 2022 and was involved in a head-on collision.

Protesters occupied the border crossing for 18 days in opposition of COVID-19 measures.

Others in the protest were also arrested, including four men who face charges of conspiracy to murder RCMP officers.

RCMP said officers found a cache of guns, body armour and ammunition in trailers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2023.

The Canadian Press

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