When we came to show, 10 years ago, it was largely against the judicialization of rivalryexplanation by Simon Lespérance, representative for collective action on April 18, 2012. He recalled that at the time, those opposed to the strike, alias the green squares, had applied for an order to force lessons on recovery.

” Freedom of expression, I believe in that and I think it’s very important, but unfortunately the green squares didn’t do it the right way. “

He added that these opponents would have done better to proceed with a vote within their student assembly.

On that day, April 18, 2012, a group began walking between the Alexandre-Taché and Lucien-Brault pavilions of the University of Quebec at Outaouais (UQO), traversing the Lac-des-Fées promenade. According to Simon Lespérance, the demonstration was peaceful and the marchers were escorted by the police. Then, suddenly, the riot squad of the Service de police de Gatineau (SPVG) was deployed to the scene and the demonstrators were caught in a trap.

Subsequently, several demonstrators were arrested under section 500.1 of the Highway Safety Code, according to which it is prohibited to obstruct traffic on the streets. They were then taken by prison vans and buses to various police stations in the area.

A detention illegal and arbitrary

What we were attacking was when the police deemed the demonstration illegal, if they just gave us tickets and took us out of the area, it was a lesser evil.prompted Simon Lespérance, who in his case, was taken to a police station on Gréber Boulevard in Gatineau, about 10 kilometers from the place of arrest.

He makes sure he and his colleagues leave the scene if the police ask them: We had other things to do that day, we didn’t want to spend the day on the beach of Lac-des-Fées, but the problem was the police wouldn’t let us.

When arriving at police stations, they also need to take a photo with an identification card. If you exceed the speed limit, we will not take a picture of you and we will not take you to the police station, we will give you a ticket.criticized Mr. Lespérance, and added that section 500.1 of the Highway Safety Code was also invalidated in 2016.

In class action, it is said most of the demonstrators were arrested for more than four hours and they lost water and food during this time, despite the heat.

We oppose a detention illegal and arbitrary, a violation of the right to express and express oneself, in addition to a violation of the right to be treated with dignity and humanity. Class action members specifically ask to be paid and say they are open to an out-of-court settlement.

” There have been talks between my attorneys and the attorneys for the City of Gatineau, but if those talks fail, there will be a hearing that will last a few days in November and a judge will assess the merits of the our class action. “

Demonstrate by following the instructions

The class action representative criticized the fact that Ottawa police allowed the truckers ’demonstration for a long time before letting the demonstrators know of their intention to intervene.

We received no warningSimon Lespérance sighed, asserting that fact freedom of expression is a fundamental rightbut it is important to respect certain rules.

The right to show peaceful means may be exercised, but not at any cost. This should not be done by disturbing others, as we saw in Ottawa. There’s a difference between what we’re doing and showing truckers honking day and night, occupying a downtown area, spending a huge amount of money on the police department and having a huge impact. We are not like that.

With information from Christian Milette