11 arrested after rally in Montreal turns violent

Legault asks Quebecers to fight racism, but says problem not systemic

MONTREAL—QUEBEC authorities spoke out Monday about the need to fight racism, while condemning the looting and vandalism that followed a Montreal demonstration demanding justice for a Black man who died following a police intervention in Minnesota.

Eleven people were arrested after tensions flared between pockets of protesters and police on Sunday following a demonstration to denounce racism and police impunity in both Canada and the United States.

It was one of many protests held across North America following the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis last week after pleading for air while a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck.

Speaking on Monday, Premier François Legault called on Quebecers to fight racism — even as he denied the existence of systemic discrimination in his province.

“All humans are equal, are all the same, regardless of the colour of their skin,” said Legault, who described Floyd’s death as “shocking and revolting.”

But in contrast to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who bluntly stated Monday that “anti-black racism is real” and “systemic discrimination is real,” Legault continued to deny the existence of systemic racism in his province.

“I think that there is some discrimination in Quebec, but there’s no systemic discrimination, no system in Quebec of discrimination,” he said.

On Sunday afternoon, thousands of people marched through downtown Montreal, waving signs and chanting “Black lives matter” as they denounced the treatment of racialized people in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada.

While the formal rally took place without incident, the situation later degenerated when some protesters smashed windows and lit fires and were met with pepper spray and tear gas from officers.

Montreal police said Monday that nine of the arrests were for breaking and entering, one was for armed assault and one was for mischief.

They said more arrests are possible as they investigate some 70 reports of damage to stores and other acts of mischief.

Police declared the gathering illegal about three hours in, after they say projectiles were thrown at officers.

In a statement on their official Twitter account Monday, the police noted the “order and respect” shown by thousands of protesters expressing indignation over Floyd’s death.

“The event evolved in a peaceful manner until these hooligans took advantage of the situation to commit violent acts,” they said.