Zexi Li, symbol of resistance to 'Freedom Convoy', given city builder award
Zexi Li, the woman who became a symbol of Ottawa residents’ resistance to the "Freedom Convoy", has been recognized at city hall for her leadership.
Li, 21, was given the mayor’s city builder award at Wednesday’s council meeting for her role in helping silence trucker horns during the three-week occupation that shook many Centretown residents.
“With governments at all levels paralyzed to see a peaceful and quick end to this occupation, Ms. Li stepped up and took action when the public needed it most,” Mayor Jim Watson said in presenting the award.
“She emerged as a brave community leader who stood up for justice and peace in the face of some very angry people.”
The award is given to those who demonstrate “an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future,” the city said in a news release.
In a short acceptance speech, Li thanked the city and acknowledged February was a difficult month for Ottawa as a whole, even for residents who weren’t directly affected.
“At the end of the day, we were able to make it through this horrible situation,” she said. “While there are stragglers here and there that continue their relentless harassment, I believe that Ottawa as a city will move forward and come out stronger in all of this."
She received a standing ovation after her remarks.
Li is the lead plaintiff in a proposed class-action lawsuit by Centretown residents against organizers and funders of the trucker protest.
As part of the legal action, Li helped secure an injunction that silenced truck horns in the downtown core. Many observers praised Li for leading action against the protest that seemingly paralyzed civic institutions. She also suffered online abuse because of the lawsuit.
The proposed class action lawsuit has grown to more than $300 million.
Watson and Coun. Catherine McKenney presented Li with the award.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.