[Montreal] Call for solidarity: Fundraiser for the arrested of the 15th of March 2009

amérique du nord / mexique | répression / prisonniers et prisonnières | autre presse libertaire Wednesday January 06, 2010 12:37 by COBP

The Collective Opposed to Police Brutality (COBP) calls on your solidarity to help in its support of the arrested of the 15th of March 2009, whom are dealing with a large number of charges.

SUMMARY OF THE FACTS Last 15th of March, the COBP organised a demonstration for the International day against Police Brutality. The initial gathering point was the Mont-Royal subway station. The SPVM police force opted for provocation. They deployed a security cord to control and search bags of all the persons wanting to reach the gathering. The place was encircled by police officers on foot in anti-riot gear, as well as by police on horses. The police had also arranged fences around the area and closed off almost all the streets around the public square. Arrests were made even before the beginning of the march. Moreover, it is the deployment of the police force which imposed the trajectory of the demonstration, constraining it to leave towards the west on the street of Mont-Royal, and then to turn south on St. Denis.

The demonstration then moved down towards the south on St. Denis, until it was attacked by the police in front of St. Louis square (charging, throwing concussion grenades and smoke grenades). The police then went on to harass the protesters on Sherbrooke street, chasing them through the McGill campus. Police charges also took place on Ste. Catherine street in front of Desjardins Place, where the police proceeded to arrest a large number of people, sometimes brutally. A crowd was encircled and arrested en masse.

On the sideline of the event, such as in the subway station, the police also made targeted arrests. The following day, media revealed that the police force had arrested journalists and passer-by’s; anyone whom had had the bad luck of being their target.

In sum, there have been 221 arrests. For the 15th of March demonstration, this is the highest number of massive arrests that has occurred since the 15th of March 2002 (371 arrests).

As you are most likely aware, these arrests lead to trials, which are often long and drawn out. To defend one’s case before the courts requires costs – to pay for the lawyer, etc. The norms relative to legal aid have been modified a few years ago, limiting the possibility persons with little financial means to defend themselves in court. The COBP does not have the financial means to meet these costs.

It is in this context that the COBP calls on you for financial help, for the fund of the arrested of the 15th of March 2009.

If possible, we invite you to contribute by cheque to the COBP, which can be mailed at the address below:

DIRA
a/s du COBP
2035, rue Saint-Laurent, 3e Étage
Montréal, Qc.
H2X 2T3
Canada

We encourage you to circulate this call for solidarity throughout your networks.

Much thanks. In all solidarity.

COBP