Pat King's social media videos shown at convoy trial

The third day of trial for akey figure inwhat became the Freedom Convoy continued Thursday with prosecutors showingvideos from his social media feed for the first time.

Pat King has pleadednot guilty tonine 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 describesco-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 around354,000 followers on one of his social media pages.It was amust-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, 2022video that was introduced as evidence Thursday whilean Ottawa police officerwas 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 threenon-consecutive weeks and end in July.

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.

'Game on, let those horns go'

Prosecutors say Kingwas directly involved inorganizing a slow roll at the Ottawa airportand 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 onFeb. 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 onesmall 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 peopledowntown 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.