The chairman of the Capital Shrine Club is to appear in court this month after a protester was allegedly choked outside a Shrine Circus performance at the RA Centre last year.

Ottawa cops confirm they charged Lionel Rowe with assault and theft on Jan. 5 following an altercation involving a member of the Ottawa Animal Defense League on Aug. 10, 2013. Among the evidence reviewed was a video, which is alleged to show the altercation. It has since been posted to YouTube. (see video below)

The OADL claims Len Goldberg was participating in a legal protest, sanctioned by a City of Ottawa permit, on public property near the RA Centre. It claims Goldberg was assaulted with a choke-hold that lasted about 30 seconds and only ended when the attacker's hands were pried off.

The OADL further claims the altercation began when Rowe took a Shrine-style fez off Goldberg's head. It was being worn as part of "a theatrical OADL stunt" during the protest about animals being used in circuses.

OADL says it will continue to protest future Shrine Circuses in the capital.

doug.hempstead@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @DougHempstead