'There are limits to civil disobedience': Palais under lockdown in aftermath of NATO protest

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Windows were boarded up, police tape blocked several entrances and there was a heavy presence of private security guards and police officers at the Palais des congrés on Saturday.

Many Montrealers, however, seemed unaware the city’s congress centre was the site of a violent pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protest Friday night that saw cars burned, protesters arrested and windows smashed in the downtown/Chinatown district.

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About 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are meeting in Montreal this weekend for the organization’s annual summit. After Friday evening’s protest, only two entrances at the Palais were open. Participants in the conference, who arrived by shuttle bus, were escorted into the building by uniformed officers.

“We were walking around and saw smashed glass and some paint,” said Paola Huve, who was walking inside the Palais des congrés Saturday afternoon. “There are a lot of police all over today. It makes me feel very safe.”

“Everybody has the right to protest, but not that way,” Huve continued. “When you destroy your own city, it doesn’t look good for the protest.”

Mathias Garcia, who walked alongside Huve with two children, agreed. He said it was alarming to see such violence downtown.

“We’re from Chile and, three years ago, there were lots of protests there, so it was hard to see this, because it reminded me of (home),” Garcia said.

Three people were arrested in connection with the protest on Friday for obstructing the work of police officers, one of whom will also be charged with assault.

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According to Montreal police, vehicles were set on fire and windows were smashed, and smoke bombs were deployed, along with metal barriers thrown into the street in order to hinder the work of officers.

The violence was condemned by politicians of all stripes on Saturday, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Quebec Premier François Legault and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.

Downtown resident Ryan Donohew said there was some noise from the protest, but he didn’t hear much from his apartment on René-Lévesque Blvd.

“But I think it’s kind of ridiculous that other another country’s problems ends up being our problem here,” said Donohew, who was sitting on a bench in Place Jean-Paul Riopelle.

Léandre Guité was also upset about the violence, and said he wasn’t disturbed to see the heavy police presence.

“I think the security is normal for the situation, because it’s really annoying for people in the area to have to live through this,” Guité said. “I saw it was violent. I saw cars on fire. That’s not really the best thing to do.”

Another man, who identified himself as a McGill student, said the violence reflected badly on the cause being protested.

“It’s very unfortunate,” he said. “I don’t have a personal connection, and I understand people feel very strongly, but I think there are limits to civil disobedience. I think it makes their point less impactful when it devolves into violence.”

He added there is a lot of anger, especially at McGill, where tempers have flared up in recent months, amid continuing protests on and around the campus.

“There is an air of tension; it’s uncomfortable no matter how connected you are. You can feel that people are on edge.”

jmagder@postmedia.com

@jmagder.bsky.social

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