Judge delays decision on woman’s charges stemming from Halifax homeless shelter clash

A woman who took part in a protest over the removal of temporary homeless shelters in downtown Halifax in August 2021 will have to wait a little longer to hear the judge’s decision on the charges she faces.

Natasha Angelique Danais, 26, is facing three counts of assaulting a police officer and one of resisting arrest during the events that unfolded on Aug. 18, 2021.

But on Friday, the two-year anniversary of the protest, Judge Kelly Serbu didn’t give his verdict on the charges.

“I’m not in a position to give my decision today,” Serbu said during proceedings at Halifax provincial court.

Serbu rescheduled to give his decision at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 19.

Defence lawyer Asaf Rashid said he and his client, who appeared virtually from British Columbia, were expecting a decision to be given Friday.

“On that day two years ago now, there was a lot of trauma experienced by Natasha and so many others and just going through trial is inviting all of that to come back, It’s revisiting that and it’s difficult,” Rashid said outside the courtroom.

“The longer this goes on, the longer it won’t be over. So this whole incident, which really has caused a lot of pain, is continuous and that’s what difficult is that she wants this to come to conclusion … so it’s just difficult the longer it goes on.”

In early May, several Halifax Regional Police officers testified that things were calm early on that warm summer day as police directed homeless people to remove their tents and vacate the site of the former public library.

But things escalated as people banded together to try to stop the removal of two temporary wooden shelters.

Const. Christopher DeLong was among the many police officers tasked to help protect municipal staff instructed to remove the shelters from the property.

“During that time, I was shouted at, spit on, punched, kicked, numerous times,” DeLong testified.

Other officers who were on the frontline that day also testified that they were assaulted by the protesters.

However, Danais said the officers used physical force to clear a path while she “tried to stand my ground.”

Danais, who was eventually taken to jail, said she suffered bruises and scratches on her legs, arms, chest and feet. Some of the officers also testified they suffered bruises and other injuries.

Danais is one of four people who are still facing charges stemming from the protest.

“There are three others that are still somewhere along the way,” Rashid said.

Rashid said a trial hasn’t started for one of the people facing charges, while the other two and Danais are awaiting a decision or final submissions.

Amanda Rekunyk, who is one of the four people facing charges, said the outcome of these trials is important.

“What happens here is only going to set precedent for the next and the next and the next,” Rekunyk said outside of the courthouse.