Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/freedom-convoy-leaders-face-10-years-in-jail-trudeau-sued/
Politics
The trial for Freedom Convoy leaders Chris Barber and Tamara Lich resumed in Ottawa, focusing on closing arguments after a five-month hiatus. Barber and Lich face charges including mischief, counseling mischief, counseling intimidation, and obstructing police, with potential jail sentences of up to 10 years. The government argued that the non-violent nature of the protest did not make it lawful and sought to establish a conspiracy between the two leaders through a “Carter application.” However, the defense contested this, emphasizing the lack of direct evidence linking the leaders’ statements to the actions of the protesters. Justice Heather Perkins-McVey has up to six months to make a final decision. Concurrently, Barber, Lich, and others have filed a $2 million lawsuit against the Trudeau government for its use of the Emergencies Act to dismantle the Freedom Convoy in 2022.
Related to the Trump shooting, a video surfaced showing Thomas Crooks walking through the vendor section of the Butler rally approximately one and a half hours before he began shooting. The video, shared via the X account of Tony Seruga, captures Crooks at around 4:26 pm, which is notable given that President Trump was initially scheduled to begin speaking at 5:00 pm. The timing and presence of Crooks at the rally reportedly add a new layer of context to the events leading up to the shooting.
Economics
In international economic news, the United States and China have agreed to create a joint contact group to manage financial stress, a rare instance of cooperation between the two largest economies. This decision comes amid recent economic volatility, including a significant stock market crash in Japan that affected global markets. The agreement aims to enhance information sharing and reduce uncertainty during financial crises. China has been selling US treasuries at an accelerated pace while increasing its gold reserves, indicating a move towards de-dollarization. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted increasing global market fragmentation and unilateral trade restrictions, which weaken economic growth and resilience. The joint effort between the US and China is seen as a necessary step to mitigate potential financial crises.
Speaking of gold, Alex Craner discusses the potential for significant upward pressure on gold prices due to increased allocations by money managers and central banks. He highlights the possibility of gold reaching unprecedented levels, such as $3,000, $10,000, or even $20,000 an ounce. Craner also touches on the broader economic implications of inflation, noting that it can arise from both economic growth and debt overhangs. He suggests that we might be entering the second wave of inflation, driven by both debt overhang and rising commodity prices. Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, could further exacerbate inflation by driving up the prices of precious metals and energy. Craner also discusses the potential financial crisis stemming from Ukraine’s debt situation, which could trigger a broader financial contagion affecting European countries with significant exposure to Ukraine’s debt. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of community and local support networks in navigating potential economic crises.
Sources
Freedom Convoy Leaders Face Final Arguments in Trial: Potential 10-Year Sentence Looms
Lich and Barber face multiple charges from the 2022 protests, including mischief, counseling mischief, counseling intimidation, and obstructing police for taking part in and organizing the anti-mandate Freedom Convoy.
Source | Submitted by Walberga
U.S. and China Form Joint Financial Stress Group Amid Global Market Volatility
“Bloomberg is reporting that the United States and China agreed to create a joint contact group for cases of financial stress.”
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Gold Rush 2.0: Inflation, Geopolitics, and the Looming Surge in Precious Metals
“These money managers start to think like, ‘Hm, maybe we need to make some, uh, allocations into gold.’ Yep, that could put tremendous upward pressure on the price.”
Source | Submitted by Disruptor13
New Video Emerges Showing Assassin Thomas Crooks at Butler Rally Before Shooting
The video appears to capture Thomas Crooks walking through the vendor section of the Butler rally at approximately 4:26pm, about one and a half hours before he began shooting.
Source | Submitted by joe tenaglia