CDN Military investigates officer who is calling on soldiers to fight government's pandemic "tyranny"
David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen - Yesterday
David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen - Yesterday
The Canadian military has launched an investigation after an army officer called on police and fellow military personnel to rise up against the federal and provincial governments over pandemic regulations.
© Provided by Ottawa CitizenDemontrators against vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Feb. 9, 2022.
Maj. Stephen Chledowski, an artillery officer, appears in a nine-minute video in which he accuses federal and provincial politicians of being traitors and suppressing the rights of Canadians. “I am calling on my military and police comrades to now stand up and protect your loved ones against this government-forced medical tyranny,” he said in the video downloaded on various social media outlets.
Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said Friday the Canadian Forces is investigating and will take action. “A hallmark of our democracy is the principle that the military is accountable to our duly elected officials,” he said. “Discipline is another key principle that underpins our effectiveness as a military.”
“Those who disregard these principles undermine the very foundation of our institution,” he added. “We all must be trusted to serve.”
Chledowski, who appears in uniform during the video, says he has been in the military for more than 20 years and has served in Afghanistan. He stated he is unvaccinated and added that he has held several army command positions. Chledowski is an artillery officer based in Oromocto, N.B.
Chledowski claims “liar” politicians and governments have tricked Canadians with regulations and health measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “For two years our elected government officials have been using the tactics of fear, intimidation, coercion and financial and physical violence against us to gain compliance for certain repeated medical procedures,” he said.
Artillery officer Maj. Stephen Chledowski appears in a nine-minute video calling on police and military personnel to rise up against the federal and provincial governments.
Chledowski claims the government has manipulated military and police. “You are now a weapon against the very people you love,” he said.
Chledowski did not respond to a request for comment from this newspaper.
But his view in the video is in contrast to what he wrote in 2005 for the Journal of Military and Strategic Studies. Citizens in a democratic society must see its military to be professional and above partisan politics, Chledowski wrote. “A nation’s military must be politically neutral,” he added in his 2005 article. “It is therefore vital that the military be under the firm control of a responsible, popularly elected civilian democracy.”
In 2009, Chledowski registered his own coat of arms with the federal government. That included the Latin phrase, “Bring honour to thy family and thyself.” The swords on the coat of arms represent his membership in the military, noted his application.
The Canadian Forces has been trying to deal with a small number of military personnel who are supporting the ongoing demonstrations in Ottawa or speaking out about health measures aimed at protecting the public from COVID-19.
Some protesters who have occupied downtown Ottawa since Jan. 28 have been criticized for flying Confederate and Nazi flags and dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Members of the public have reported being harassed or threatened by protesters. Others have called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to be tried for treason or executed.
The Canadian military is currently looking into the actions of a special forces soldier whose house displayed a large banner supporting convoy protesters. It is also in the midst of another investigation after a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force recently went on Twitter with a video supporting the Ottawa protesters.
In May 2021, a Canadian Forces member who called on fellow military personnel to refuse to help with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines was charged with an offence related to mutiny. It’s believed to be the first time in decades that the Canadian military has laid such a charge. A court-martial hearing will be held in September for that individual.
Officer Cadet Ladislas Kenderesi was charged with one count of “endeavoring to persuade another person to join in a mutiny,” an offence under the National Defence Act. Kenderesi was also charged with one count of behaving in a scandalous manner unbecoming of an officer.
Kenderesi will face a court martial sometime in September, DND officials have confirmed.
© Provided by Ottawa CitizenDemontrators against vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Feb. 9, 2022.
Maj. Stephen Chledowski, an artillery officer, appears in a nine-minute video in which he accuses federal and provincial politicians of being traitors and suppressing the rights of Canadians. “I am calling on my military and police comrades to now stand up and protect your loved ones against this government-forced medical tyranny,” he said in the video downloaded on various social media outlets.
Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said Friday the Canadian Forces is investigating and will take action. “A hallmark of our democracy is the principle that the military is accountable to our duly elected officials,” he said. “Discipline is another key principle that underpins our effectiveness as a military.”
“Those who disregard these principles undermine the very foundation of our institution,” he added. “We all must be trusted to serve.”
Chledowski, who appears in uniform during the video, says he has been in the military for more than 20 years and has served in Afghanistan. He stated he is unvaccinated and added that he has held several army command positions. Chledowski is an artillery officer based in Oromocto, N.B.
Chledowski claims “liar” politicians and governments have tricked Canadians with regulations and health measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “For two years our elected government officials have been using the tactics of fear, intimidation, coercion and financial and physical violence against us to gain compliance for certain repeated medical procedures,” he said.
Artillery officer Maj. Stephen Chledowski appears in a nine-minute video calling on police and military personnel to rise up against the federal and provincial governments.
Chledowski claims the government has manipulated military and police. “You are now a weapon against the very people you love,” he said.
Chledowski did not respond to a request for comment from this newspaper.
But his view in the video is in contrast to what he wrote in 2005 for the Journal of Military and Strategic Studies. Citizens in a democratic society must see its military to be professional and above partisan politics, Chledowski wrote. “A nation’s military must be politically neutral,” he added in his 2005 article. “It is therefore vital that the military be under the firm control of a responsible, popularly elected civilian democracy.”
In 2009, Chledowski registered his own coat of arms with the federal government. That included the Latin phrase, “Bring honour to thy family and thyself.” The swords on the coat of arms represent his membership in the military, noted his application.
The Canadian Forces has been trying to deal with a small number of military personnel who are supporting the ongoing demonstrations in Ottawa or speaking out about health measures aimed at protecting the public from COVID-19.
Some protesters who have occupied downtown Ottawa since Jan. 28 have been criticized for flying Confederate and Nazi flags and dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Members of the public have reported being harassed or threatened by protesters. Others have called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to be tried for treason or executed.
The Canadian military is currently looking into the actions of a special forces soldier whose house displayed a large banner supporting convoy protesters. It is also in the midst of another investigation after a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force recently went on Twitter with a video supporting the Ottawa protesters.
In May 2021, a Canadian Forces member who called on fellow military personnel to refuse to help with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines was charged with an offence related to mutiny. It’s believed to be the first time in decades that the Canadian military has laid such a charge. A court-martial hearing will be held in September for that individual.
Officer Cadet Ladislas Kenderesi was charged with one count of “endeavoring to persuade another person to join in a mutiny,” an offence under the National Defence Act. Kenderesi was also charged with one count of behaving in a scandalous manner unbecoming of an officer.
Kenderesi will face a court martial sometime in September, DND officials have confirmed.
Jonny Wakefield - Yesterday
© Provided by Edmonton Journal
In a video posted to social media, Edmonton Police Const. Elena Golysheva expressed support for trucker convoys.
Edmonton police are “reviewing” a video in which a uniformed constable expresses support for trucker convoys and suggests she will not follow certain orders.
This week, video emerged of Edmonton Police Service Const. Elena Golysheva praising the trucker protests which for weeks have paralyzed Ottawa and multiple U.S./Canada border crossings.
City police spokeswoman Cheryl Sheppard said Thursday that the service is aware of the video and contemplating the next steps. She did not reveal the officer’s current duty status or whether she will face disciplinary action for the comments.
In the video — a version of which was posted to a pro-convoy Instagram page — Golysheva addresses police in Ottawa, her own colleagues, and the protesters themselves. She says she is an immigrant to Canada, and while she does not specifically mention the COVID-19 pandemic, she says “my heart has been broken every day when I saw that the very freedom that I moved to Canada for has been taken away.”
“Thank you truckers, thank you farmers, thank you people with open hearts and clear minds for standing up (for) police officers when we could not stand up for you,” she says tearfully.
“It’s clear in my mind what decision I will make when I’m asked to follow an unlawful order,” she adds. “I’m for freedom — of choice, for freedom of conscious, for freedom of speech, for freedom of expression, for freedom of communication, and I’m to serve, protect and help out, you people in Canada.”
Postmedia reached out Thursday to both Golysheva and the Edmonton Police Association but did not hear back.
David Cassels, a former Winnipeg police chief who policed in Edmonton for 30 years, called the video “completely inappropriate” and said Golysheva deserves to be suspended for the remarks pending further investigation.
Based on the video, “she believes that the freedom of the truck drivers is more important than the freedom of the people that she’s sworn to protect,” he said.
Cassels is president of the Coalition for Canadian Police Reform, a group seeking to “professionalize” policing through national training standards enforced by a college similar to the colleges that regulate medical professions.
He said police officers who publicly support causes — especially when those causes involve illegal activity — undermine public confidence that police will behave impartially.
Police officers have some discretion in applying the law, Cassels said. But he rejected the idea that police officers may not have to obey orders from their senior officers.
“They must obey an order from their senior officers, as long as it’s a lawful order,” Cassels said, adding that there is nothing unlawful about preventing blockades and enforcing traffic and noise bylaws.
© Greg SouthamPeople gather near the Alberta legislature on Feb. 5, 2022, in Edmonton to support the trucker convoy that is protesting vaccine mandates as well as measures taken by the provincial and federal governments to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Another convoy planned Saturday
On Friday, Edmonton police issued a statement about another convoy expected to descend on the legislature Saturday.
Sheppard urged citizens concerned about the disruptions not to call 911 except in emergency situations.
Police issued eight tickets for traffic offences during the previous week’s demonstration.
Edmonton police are “reviewing” a video in which a uniformed constable expresses support for trucker convoys and suggests she will not follow certain orders.
This week, video emerged of Edmonton Police Service Const. Elena Golysheva praising the trucker protests which for weeks have paralyzed Ottawa and multiple U.S./Canada border crossings.
City police spokeswoman Cheryl Sheppard said Thursday that the service is aware of the video and contemplating the next steps. She did not reveal the officer’s current duty status or whether she will face disciplinary action for the comments.
In the video — a version of which was posted to a pro-convoy Instagram page — Golysheva addresses police in Ottawa, her own colleagues, and the protesters themselves. She says she is an immigrant to Canada, and while she does not specifically mention the COVID-19 pandemic, she says “my heart has been broken every day when I saw that the very freedom that I moved to Canada for has been taken away.”
“Thank you truckers, thank you farmers, thank you people with open hearts and clear minds for standing up (for) police officers when we could not stand up for you,” she says tearfully.
“It’s clear in my mind what decision I will make when I’m asked to follow an unlawful order,” she adds. “I’m for freedom — of choice, for freedom of conscious, for freedom of speech, for freedom of expression, for freedom of communication, and I’m to serve, protect and help out, you people in Canada.”
Postmedia reached out Thursday to both Golysheva and the Edmonton Police Association but did not hear back.
David Cassels, a former Winnipeg police chief who policed in Edmonton for 30 years, called the video “completely inappropriate” and said Golysheva deserves to be suspended for the remarks pending further investigation.
Based on the video, “she believes that the freedom of the truck drivers is more important than the freedom of the people that she’s sworn to protect,” he said.
Cassels is president of the Coalition for Canadian Police Reform, a group seeking to “professionalize” policing through national training standards enforced by a college similar to the colleges that regulate medical professions.
He said police officers who publicly support causes — especially when those causes involve illegal activity — undermine public confidence that police will behave impartially.
Police officers have some discretion in applying the law, Cassels said. But he rejected the idea that police officers may not have to obey orders from their senior officers.
“They must obey an order from their senior officers, as long as it’s a lawful order,” Cassels said, adding that there is nothing unlawful about preventing blockades and enforcing traffic and noise bylaws.
© Greg SouthamPeople gather near the Alberta legislature on Feb. 5, 2022, in Edmonton to support the trucker convoy that is protesting vaccine mandates as well as measures taken by the provincial and federal governments to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Another convoy planned Saturday
On Friday, Edmonton police issued a statement about another convoy expected to descend on the legislature Saturday.
Sheppard urged citizens concerned about the disruptions not to call 911 except in emergency situations.
Police issued eight tickets for traffic offences during the previous week’s demonstration.
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