I'll be updating this as more information comes out.
Two rallies are ongoing. In Montreal members of La Meute (unofficially, of course) and other hate groups are rallying in support of the illiberal policies of the current Quebec government targeting religious minorities. In Toronto Pegida Canada is trying to march.
In Montreal Jon Milton is one of the journalists covering the event. He reports police in that city as having aggressively attacked counter-protesters as members of the far-right cheered them on:
Two rallies are ongoing. In Montreal members of La Meute (unofficially, of course) and other hate groups are rallying in support of the illiberal policies of the current Quebec government targeting religious minorities. In Toronto Pegida Canada is trying to march.
In Montreal Jon Milton is one of the journalists covering the event. He reports police in that city as having aggressively attacked counter-protesters as members of the far-right cheered them on:
Today is the "vague bleu" in Montreal, maybe the largest far right demonstration in Quebec in a long time. It's a demo in favour of the prov. gov't's ban on hijabs for public sector workers.— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
A few hundred people are assembled for a counter demo. Will post updates through the day
In the meantime, some context on the "vague bleu" organizers by @MontrealAntifa https://t.co/SO8dMX2VRA— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
The counter demo is moving. Chanting "tout le monde deteste les racistes," or "everybody hates racists" pic.twitter.com/UAlTxzhHdq— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Some far right activists are already at their meetup point, an hour early. Under heavy police protection, both local and provincial police. pic.twitter.com/99ET8tO8qr— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
This cop just pointed a rubber bullet gun at my face, and threatened to shoot the people taking photos of him pic.twitter.com/g4WSnkHMt2— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
So the counter demo got close to the far right, amd the police immediately tear gassed the counter demo. Will check my video later but it all happened very fast— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Just got chased through an alley by cops on bikes, they charged straight into a crowd of people. Also almost got hit by a riot van. Shit is chaos— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Having been to multiple counter demonstrations as a journalist, I've never seen a police violence like this. As soon as anti-racist protesters got within shouting distance of the far right, police immediately and brutally attacked the counter protest, to cheers from the far right— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Despite being brutally dispersed, the counter demonstration is regrouping at the original meetup point. Few hundred people here again. Not sure what's going to happen, lots of cops around.— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
The counter demonstration is right at the far right. No police dispersal happening yet.— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Seeing decent III% militia presence on the far right side, including Robert Proulx, the guy in the first photo pic.twitter.com/s48FZJCT96
*sorry, they're calling themselves the "groupe de secruité patriotique" now, not the III%— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
Occasionally straddlers from the far right demo accidentally walk into the counter demo, very confused. In most cases, anti-racists are just talking with them and explaining their opposition to the far right. One known far right dude who was provoking anti-racists got chased out— Jon Milton (@514jon) May 4, 2019
In Toronto I've been following some of the live videos posted by far right members on social media. Some in the crowd (and those posting in the comments section) are encouraging the far-right protesters to attack the counter-protesters. Given the police presence separating the two sides, that might be a tall order. Groups present include members of hate groups including Canadian Combat Coalition, Northern Guard, Nouns of Odin, and members of Travis Patron's Nationalist Party of Canada:
 |
| Also present are Rick Boswisk and Derek Storie fresh of their interviews with Paul Fromm and Max Bernier; more on this in a later article. |
After about an hour the Pegida and co. supporters tried to march.
They didn't get too far.
Justin Long's videos suggest the fascist supporters are having a lousy day again:
Yep, a very lousy day....
.... which includes at least one Yellow Jacket arrest:
Journalist Kosalan Kathir covered the event from the start:
Security is tight. A second cordon of police officers are to the side. 80 counter protesters compared to 30 far right protesters— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Police have complete blocked off the cross walk to prevent counter protesters from occupying both sides of the road #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/ursl5EHFG7— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Police are in here in force today including Mounted Police and I've noticed that much more police officers are carrying teasers today #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Another strange twist. A Russian parade sporting the flags of the USSR and the flag of the Russian Federation has taken the attention for a moment #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/HhnPKwMGFF— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
It might be a protest but some are still in #StarWarsDay mood #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/FdPBF80PWa— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Not much has happened besides tense words being thrown around but far right protesters may be prepping to march. Police have moved this Police Bus to the same side of the street. #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/XlKrkzPQdO— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Far right protesters got do a hand of an Antifacist sign and smashed it. Tense exchange continues #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/jkXOhA7JWQ— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Police have moved up. Words of a march has intensified #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/Q70N2FTOlz— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Tensions high. Threats being thrown around openly March has begun aggressive and suddenly #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/BlMb6CegjB— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
The individual decked out in camo isnsporting a III% (3 precenters) patch, a violent milita group #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/M6qEoRyUsl— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Much of the Far right protesters have been allowed out one at a time. A few have sat down refusing to leave, while others a few with helmets and vests have moved back to the original site of the protest #onpoli #cndpoli #torpoli pic.twitter.com/BrdmI5RTJX— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
Readers won't be surprised that unemployed drifters Boswick and Storie are among the remaining petulant children who are engaging in the equivalent of holding their breath until they get their way. Video edited for length because holy HELL are they whiny!
— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) May 4, 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment