Publication date: August 20, 2022 • 12 hours ago • 3 minutes read • 11 comments Diane Nolan, director of the United People of Canada, speaks during Saturday’s media conference at the former St. Brigid’s. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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The United People of Canada tried once again to explain its presence at St. Bridget’s Church in a raucous Saturday afternoon conference streamed live on Facebook that was repeatedly disrupted by revelers.

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Speaking to a gathering of about 30 people at the deconsecrated Catholic church, TUPOC’s Diane Nolan claimed the eviction notice served last week was invalid and said the group deserved an apology for the way it was characterized. “I called this press conference because I really believe we deserve an apology,” said Nolan, one of TUPOC’s directors. “We deserve an apology for what was said by the mayor, what was said by (Lowertown Community Association president) Sylvie Bigras and (Councilman) Mathieu Fleury.” All three were critical of TUPOC and its plans for an “embassy” in St. Brigid’s, with Mayor Jim Watson describing the group as “kind of crazy” in a radio interview. “You didn’t sit down and talk to us,” Nolan said. “We didn’t have a conversation. All we want to do is serve the community.”

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William Komer, right, director of The United People of Canada, speaks with a counter-protester during Saturday’s media conference. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The owner of St. Brigid hired Cease Bailiff Services to evict TUPOC supporters, saying the group owes $10,000 in rent, failed to provide proof of liability insurance and carried out unauthorized construction on the heritage building. Nolan denied those claims on Saturday and seemed to imply that the team was having trouble raising funds because of the bad publicity. “The truth is, people want to donate to an organization they believe in, but the corrupt government right now is causing so much fear in people. There are a lot of misconceptions about it,” he said. In the hour-long question-and-answer session, Nolan said TUPOC was motivated by love for her neighbors and love for the world. While Nolan said she helped during last winter’s “Freedom Convoy” occupation of downtown Ottawa, she said the issues went beyond the convoy.

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Erica Lackey, left, attended Saturday’s media conference to address her issues with her new neighbors from The United People of Canada. Photo: Ashley Fraser/Postmedia “We’re here to address some issues that have started long before the convoy,” Nolan said. “You don’t need 100,000 people to tell you there are problems in this country.” “It’s not convoy propaganda,” he replied to one of the henchmen from the back of the church. “Not everyone is here from the convoy. You’re not going to rank us!’ Nolan said she previously ministered to the homeless in Ottawa and loaded her speech with words about God and Christian references. He called the rent dispute a “Red Sea Moment,” a predicament to be resolved by God’s intervention, and made references to the “seven mountains.” The Seven Mountain Mandate is a US-based conservative evangelical movement that seeks to bring Christian influence to bear on seven aspects of life: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government.

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The United People of Canada (TUPOC) held Saturday’s media conference at the former St. Brigid. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia A nearby resident, who said she went to church Saturday “to be a fly on the wall,” said she was accosted by a TUPOC member for carrying a Pride Canada flag. “He told me to take the Pride flag and go home,” said the woman, Heather, who did not give her last name. Although other TUPOC members told her she was welcome under her flag, Heather said the initial hostility turned her off and she was suspicious of TUPOC. “It seems like it’s all smoke and mirrors,” he said. “They’re not very good at getting their message across. They say they are not part of the “Freedom Convoy” but can’t explain why so many cars in their parking lot have “Freedom Convoy” messages on them. Rob Day attended Saturday’s media conference to ask questions and express his views that questions are not being answered during the event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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