A 19-year-old man has been charged after protesters swarmed and damaged a vehicle carrying Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston in Wolfville, N.S., last week. RCMP officers arrested Jacob Victor Stephen Smith of Kentville, N.S., at the police detachment in New Minas on Friday. Smith has been charged with two counts of intimidation of a justice system participant and one count of mischief under $5,000. Smith appeared in Kentville provincial court on Monday. He remains in custody pending a future court appearance. “Individuals have a protected right to lawfully, peacefully, and safely assemble,” said the RCMP in a news release Monday. “Those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property will be held accountable. Acts of violence will not be tolerated and will be investigated fully by police.” The charges against Smith come after police responded to safety concerns at Acadia University after protesters blocked Houston from leaving the campus after a speaking engagement on Wednesday. “While the premier and staff were inside their vehicle, an individual climbed onto it and the windshield was smashed,” said the RCMP. Houston was led back inside a nearby building and escorted away from the venue. Police say no injuries were reported. One man was arrested and taken to the New Minas detachment on Wednesday, but he was later released without charges. Police said Monday that Smith was not the person arrested and released that day. The RCMP says the investigation is ongoing and is asking anyone with information or footage to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-679-5555. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Lauren Roulston For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
