11 people arrested after Sunday's protest in Montreal: SPVM

After thousands of Montrealers turned up to protest police brutality and racial profiling on Sunday, police say 11 people have been arrested.

According to Raphaël Bergeron of the SPVM (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal), “over 70 fines of mischief were reported” among the 11 arrests which include nine for breaking-and-entering, one for assault with a weapon, and one for mischief.

In a phone call with Daily Hive, Bergeron says other arrests could come “in the following days” and a police investigation is currently underway.

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The anti-racism protesters clashed with local police after the SPVM ruled the gathering to consist of “illegal behaviours.”

Warning to the #manifencours : Because of the infractions that are committed, we order everyone to disperse and leave the area immediately.

— Police Montréal (@SPVM) June 1, 2020

The march consisted of Montrealers demanding justice in police brutality cases.

“As we denounce recent police killings in the USA, we also denounce police killings of Black Lives here in Montreal, from Anthony Griffin in NDG in 1987 to BonyJean-Pierre in Montréal-Nord (2016), Pierre Coriolan in Centre-Sud (2017) and Nicholas Gibbs in NDG (2018),” reads the organizer’s Facebook page.

The demonstration was hosted by three separate organizations that advocate for anti-police brutality and anti-racist causes in Montreal, Justice for Victims of Police Killings, non-profit organization Hoodstock, and media company Tout Le Hood en Parle.

Roughly three hours into the protest, tensions flared as protestors and police clashed. Protesters uploaded videos to social media showing the aftermath of police tear gas and rubber bullets, looting, and rioting.

Distribution of hand sanitizer at the police brutality protest in Montreal. Event organizers encourage protesters to wear masks, disinfect their hands and follow social distancing guidelines. #manifencours #MontrealProtest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/phlnkjT1ji

— Sasha Teman (@TemanSasha) May 31, 2020

what the #MontrealProtest ACTUALLY looked like before police decided to come in and tear gas for no fucking reason: a thread
PLZ SHARE don’t let the media flip this protest into something it wasn’t #BlackLivesMatter ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/5xVRbzUoIJ

— julz ✨ (@besnosj) June 1, 2020

The #MontrealProtest was totally peaceful the entire way through. All we did was march and chant. As soon as the sun went down the cops started firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the crowds. They don’t want peaceful protests, they want silence. pic.twitter.com/CwA3PZCHaM

— carley 🔜 Toronto (4ever) (@voldiee) June 1, 2020

#MontrealProtest we PEACEFULLY protested today and the SPVM sprayed us with tear gas and started shooting rubber bullets after announcing the protest illegal. the only violence incited today was BY THE POLICE #ACAB #BLM pic.twitter.com/M76S2epSX7

— s 🧚🏽‍♀️ (@sheezusrose) June 1, 2020

People looting stores in Montreal now!! #Montreal #protests2020 #MontrealProtest #BLACK_LIVES_MATTERS #GeorgeFloydProtests #georgesfloyd #RIPGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/tYyiHbYQEt

— Ezra (@SavageAlert21) June 1, 2020

😶.

There is NO NEED 2 Fire Off Shots.

NONE. @CJAD800 #MONTREAL #MontrealProtest pic.twitter.com/vi4otWPZVT

— Brian K (@PLaY_BK) June 1, 2020

PLEASE EVERYONE LEAVE IT’S NOT SAFE ANYMORE. #MontrealProtest pic.twitter.com/xmE5V6m8ti

— 𝙢𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 BLM (@gwsmegan) June 1, 2020