Seven Oaks Magazine.

Scott Rohan was one of the ‘Britannia 9’ on trial as a result of a protest against B.C. premier Gordon Campbell. Seven Oaks’ recently asked him about the verdicts issued Thursday for the four remaining defendants, and the implications of the trial for civil liberties and the movement against the B.C. Liberals.

I was found not guilty on the three charges levied against me. That is, unlawful assembly, causing a disturbance and assault PO. The worst part of the verdict was the fact that the judge deemed the police riot an unlawful assembly. As a result, all three of my codefendants were found guilty on this charge. Ivan Drury and Justin Goodman were also found guilty on their obstruction charges. Murray Bush was also found guilty of assault PO, but both his convictions were stayed based on a charter application he filed. The judge determined that in particular, our lengthy detentions of 26 hours and the strip searches conducted against us were extreme violations of the Charter.

2. So some of the protestors were found guilty. What kind of sentences are they facing, and are appeals planned?

I am not sure if there are any appeals planned. I'm sure my codefendants are discussing this with their lawyers. I know the Crown told the convicted that she will be seeking jail time during sentencing on July 5. I have no idea what the maximum penalty is for obstruction but I do know the maximum sentencing for unlawful assembly is six months. I hope the judge uses reason and grants Ivan and Justin unconditional discharges.

The police conduct was completely inappropriate. Their attack on George, a 58 year-old United Church minister who was performing a mime, was totally uncalled for, and seemed to be designed to provoke an angry reaction from a peaceful crowd. The five officers who were man handling George ensured this reaction by smashing his head against the wall in full view of everybody. I have never seen anything so disgusting in my life. A similar attack on a 14 year-old boy seemed similarly designed to provoke the crowd. The only riot that took place that day was designed and led by the VPD, who turned a peaceful protest into a violent confrontation. The police conduct in the Canadian Tire parking lot was totally out of control. This is something that came out in the trial. In his final decision the judge actually believed that Inspector Hobbes had threatened me with bodily harm and that another officer said that they would take me out later. Unfortunately, although the judge is essentially saying he doesn't believe Hobbes' testimony, he doesn't say this in his findings. He did his absolute best to shelter the cops from any accusations of wrongdoing.

4. Has there been action taken, complaints filed, against any of the police officers?

Murray Bush filed a complaint about the threats made against me in the parking lot. Of course, the internal investigation found no wrongdoing. The quality of this review was revealed as a sham during our trial. The main reasons given by Officer Lemky for rejecting the complaint were that Murray said we were closed in by three walls while the parking lot had only two walls, and that I said I thought Hobbs was wearing a patrol uniform when in fact he was wearing a motorcycle uniform. Somehow these insignificant facts negated the complaint.

5. Why do you think authorities have pursued this long legal process against the Britannia protestors?

To set an example. At the time, both the chief of police and Gordo called us thugs. When you combine this lengthy and expensive trial with the fact that the judge convicted people of unlawful assembly, the reasoning becomes obvious: the criminalization of lawful protest.

6. For a time, in 2002, Gordon Campbell was dogged by protest at almost every public appearance he made in Vancouver. Do you think there's more or less opposition to his government's policies today?

There is certainly less overt street opposition to the BC Liberals. On the other hand, it appears as if the Liberals would lose an election if it was called today.

7. What sort of "public assemblies" do you plan to participate in the near future?

I will participate in any public assemblies I want to. I will not let this harassment stop me from attending protests. In my case, my charges were total harassment. The police and the Crown had in their possession a police video tape which clearly showed me not doing what I was charged with. Despite this, I was forced to endure two years of uncertainty and a trial that lasted a month. Harassment –yes. Successful intimidation –no!