Montreal North roundtable addresses racism allegations against police

Activists and lawyers gathered Saturday at Henri-Bourassa Park in Montreal North to discuss recent allegations of racist behaviour involving officers of the Montreal Police (SPVM) and their implications for the community. The discussion took place near the site where 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva was killed by a police officer in August 2008. The roundtable followed the SPVM's decision to dissolve a night patrol team in the borough over a week earlier, following allegations of racist and discriminatory behaviour. Will Prosper, co-founder of Hoodstock, a community organization created following Villanueva's death, indicated that the community has been suffering from police violence for a long time. Prosper, who was 18 when Villanueva was killed, explained that the protests that followed his death were fueled by years of frustration with policing in the area. Many residents view these latest allegations as part of a long history of strained relations between police and the community. On June 12, the SPVM announced that 14 officers had been reassigned and two others suspended. SPVM Director Fady Dagher indicated that files concerning the suspended officers had been forwarded to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, who will determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Dardia Joseph, a lawyer and assistant director of the Saint-Michel Legal Clinic, explained that young people seek legal advice and support following run-ins with police, particularly in cases involving allegations of racial profiling. Some young people sought help after repeated police checks or interactions they felt were marked by inappropriate attitudes, and wondered if the treatment they received was normal. Fernando Belton, lawyer and general manager of the Saint-Michel Legal Clinic, said the latest allegations marked a turning point. "We've been repeating the same things for decades," he stressed, noting that the response to these allegations could determine whether concerns about racial profiling, police accountability, and community relations will finally be addressed.