On Wednesday, Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich appeared in court again while seeking a bail review, this time in shackles.

“LEG SHACKLES!” exclaimed UCP candidate Brian Jean on Twitter. “In ten years of criminal law, including doing bail hearings for serious violent offences, I can’t remember an accused ever appearing at a bail hearing in shackles.”

And indeed, Tamara Lich is far from violent, having been charged with mischief and interfering with the lawful use and operation of property, both of which are par for the course when it comes to peacefully protesting.

Lich was denied bail on February 22, with Justice Julie Bourgeois stating, “There is a substantial risk you will continue these actions and will not abide by an order. Your recent history in our city… satisfies me that your detention is necessary for the safety and protection of the public.”

Many pointed out the hypocrisy of such a verdict — there is always the chance an offender may re-offend, and the Convoy had long since dispersed by the time of Lich’s bail hearing.

Following the decision, Bourgeois’ former political aspirations proliferated online, revealing to all those invested in the case that Bourgeois was a former Liberal candidate in 2011 and may have a political agenda behind her ruling.

This point was argued by Lich today, and Lich’s lawyer filed an affidavit that says she would have asked the judge to recuse herself from the case had Lich known her political background.

The Crown rejected this claim, stating that Bourgeois had granted bail to other Convoy organizers.

If convicted, Lich faces up to 10 years in prison.