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.
