spvm

five people sit at a table with microphones

Montreal must ban street checks: researchers, civil society groups

December 16, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

It’s been a year and a half since a police-commissioned report called for a moratorium on street checks.

The practice allows police to stop and ask citizens to identify themselves without needing reasonable grounds to suspect them of a crime.

As the report is finally being heard at City Hall, a coalition of civil society groups are calling on the SPVM to put its recommendations into practice.

CKUT spoke to representatives of the Ligue des Droits et Libertés and the Quebec Association of Lawyers for the Defense, two of the groups supporting the ban.

A group of two riot police faces off against three masked protesters at night. One officer is winding up to swing his baton

Anti-NATO protest ends in property damage, police violence

November 28, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

An anti-NATO protest has received cross-Canada condemnation after demonstrators broke windows at Montreal’s convention centre – where NATO’s 70th parliamentary assembly was held last weekend.

On Friday night, almost 500 protesters met at Montreal’s Place Des Arts in protest of the Western defense alliance’s “militarism” and “imperialism.” Some protesters sought the dissolution of NATO, while others wanted to pressure world leaders to impose an arms embargo on Israel.

Later, outside the convention centre, a small, militant group among the protesters broke windows and threw projectiles at police. Police used pepper spray, tear gas, and physical force to disperse the crowd – sending at least two people to the emergency room after allegedly beating them with a baton.

The SPVM was not able to comment on that incident. They say that three people were arrested on charges of assaulting officers and obstructing police work.

Police offers face off with protestors, one of whom in on the ground

Pro-Palestine groups call for public apology, resignation of Fierté Montréal director

August 23, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

Members of the Arabic queer group Mubaadarat, pro-peace group Independent Jewish Voices Montreal, and the new Faction Against Genocide, in Solidarity (F.A.G.S.) are calling for accountability from Fierté Montreal.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, they called for a public apology from Fierté Montréal, the resignation of Executive Director Simon Gamache, and a boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) plan at the organization, among other demands.

This comes just over a week after a pro-Palestine protest at the Aug. 11 Pride parade was met a large police response, with SPVM officers recorded by Local 514 appearing to punch protestors and trying to wrest a banner from them. A photo shared by protestors seemingly shows an officer holding a can of pepper spray. CKUT was not present for the events depicted in the footage.

Protestors allege that police also pushed individuals to the ground and struck them with batons. They say physical intervention from police was unnecessary, as the parade was ultimately rerouted around their peaceful demonstration.

Representatives of Fierté Montréal and the Montreal Police (SPVM) declined to comment for this story.

A man sporting a kufiyeh holds a mic at a press conference on McGill's lower field. Tents and Palestinian flags can be seen in the background.

Quebec Superior Court rejects injunction against McGill encampment

May 15, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

On Wednesday, the Quebec Superior Court rejected McGill’s request for a provisional injunction against the pro-Palestine encampment on its campus.

Campers are calling on the university to divest from companies complicit in the war on Gaza and boycotting academic institutions with ties to the war and the illegal occupation of West Bank settlements. They held a press conference celebrating the court’s decision.

In a statement to CKUT, McGill says they are “disappointed in today’s ruling” and “are currently in the process of analyzing the judgement.”

With files from Athina Khalid and Louise Banks.

A boy on a scooter passes a police car on Montreal's Rue Rachel.

Putting police numbers into historical perspective with Dr. Ted Rutland

February 14, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) announced a 26 percent drop in armed violence and the hiring of 362 officers, for a net increase of 91, at a press conference on Tuesday (Feb. 13).

Police also presented highlights from their 2024-2026 strategy, and shared that they are asking the City of Montreal for more funding to tackle the increase in car theft in the province.

CKUT was joined by Concordia professor Dr.Ted Rutland, who studies policing in Canada, to discuss the announcement and the larger discussion around carjacking from a historical perspective.

Montreal must ban street checks: researchers, civil society groups

Anti-NATO protest ends in property damage, police violence

Pro-Palestine groups call for public apology, resignation of Fierté Montréal director

Quebec Superior Court rejects injunction against McGill encampment

Putting police numbers into historical perspective with Dr. Ted Rutland

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