Full press release and letter to Mayor Plante (PDF format)
On Wednesday, December 18, Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, Côte Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Westmount Mayor Christina Smith sent a letter to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante expressing deep concern over the policing of anti-Israel protests over the past year.
The letter makes the case that the Montreal Police (SPVM) has failed to adequately make us of existing criminal code provisions, trespass provisions and municipal bylaws to address unlawful activities associated with these protests, such as:
- Unlawful assembly: Protests that cause reasonable fear of a breach of the peace.
- Incitement to hatred: Speech that is likely to lead to a breach of the peace.
- Mischief: Obstructing or interfering with the lawful use of property.
- Disturbing religious worship: Interfering with religious services or intimidating worshippers.
- Intimidation: Blocking or obstructing roads or engaging in other acts of intimidation.
The letter emphasizes that the current approach of de-escalation versus applying the law undermines the rights of Jewish community members, other residents living in the area of the demonstrations and businesses operating in those areas to feel safe in their communities and emboldens those who engage in hateful speech and intimidation.
Housefather, Brownstein and Smith asked Mayor Plante to ensure that the Agglomeration of Montreal:
- Instructs the SPVM to utilize existing criminal code provisions, trespass provisions and municipal bylaws to address unlawful activities that have repeatedly been associated with anti-Israel protests.
- Provides SPVM officers with specialized training on hate crime investigations and the application of relevant criminal code provisions.
- Implements a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism and other forms of hate and ensures robust enforcement of all relevant laws.
A copy of the letter, which details all the requests, is included with this press release.