An appeal for support: protester arrested at Montebello facing trial

Security & Prosperity Partnership (SPP) | North America | Solidarity & support for prisoners

from mw, 15 February 2008:

Dear friends and allies --

As you all probably remember, back on August 20, 2007, several hundred protesters gathered in Montebello (Quebec) to protest the Leader's Meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). The use of masked, rock-wielding police infiltrators was exposed later in the mainstream media.

BUT, several actual protesters who were attacked by the riot police were arrested. One of those protesters -- Leila -- chose to defend herself and take the charges against her to trial. Her trial will be this JUNE 12, 2008 at the "Palais de Justice" in Hull, Quebec.

Please read this callout for how you can support Leila as she faces trial. The SQ [Quebec Provincial Police] has gotten away with their use of police infiltrators. Let's make sure they are exposed at court, and don't get away with their arrest intimidation tactics as well.

An injury to one is an injury to all!

::: BACKGROUND :::

Leila and her friend Velvet were arrested at approximately 4:30pm on Monday, August 20, 2007 in Montebello, close to the police line near the Chateau Montebello gates. They were arrested when the SQ riot police began shooting tear gas at protesters, and then forcing protesters to disperse. Both Leila and Velvet sat down on the grass and were arrested for obstruction. They were held in the Papineauville High School that was converted into a jail for the SPP in Montebello. The charges against Velvet were dropped after she was held in custody for four days.

A low-quality video of the incident involving Leila and Velvet is linked here:

::: WITNESSES & EVIDENCE :::

If you were a witness to the incident near the Chateau Montebello gates around 4:30pm on Monday, August 20, 2007, please get in touch. Even if you did not specifically see the arrests, but were in the area a few hours beforehand, please get in touch.

Moreover, if you were a witness to any police infiltration activity, your testimony could be useful. Please get in touch as well.

If you have any VIDEO, AUDIO, PHOTOS or other footage of the police's actions, please let us know.

There is apparently other video footage of this incident, and beforehand. If you have any, we need it!

If you know of any individuals and groups that were filming video, please pass on their contacts.

Finally, if you have any testimony or footage of Leila or Velvet during the day in Montebello, that could be useful, too.

E-mail us with your info HERE: montebellotrialsupport@gmail.com

::: HELP WITH THE LEGAL DEFENCE :::

Leila is working with a lawyer on her defence, but she's also preparing some Charter of Rights motions on her own. If you can help with legal support, in any way, please get in touch at: montebellotrialsupport@gmail.com

*::: PACK THE COURT! :::*

From the information that we have to date, Leila's case is the only one that is going to trial. Her trial is another opportunity to denounce the SQ police infiltrators and the systemic erosion of the "legal recognition" of our basic right to freedom of assembly and protest, as well as providing direct support for Leila.

If you are interested in attending trial in Hull on Thursday, June 12, please get in touch. If you can help arrange rides from Ottawa or Montreal, please get in touch as well.