RANSACKING was more than intimidation. It was an assault on democracy.

The ransacking of city hall by rampaging firefighters and other municipal workers during Monday’s council meeting smacked of a shameful attempt to intimidate elected officials, but it was more than that. It was an assault on our very democracy.

That on-duty police officers stood idly by while marauding hooligans — some wearing masks — tossed papers, plastered stickers, chased councillors from the chamber, smashed drinking glasses, broke windows, entered restricted areas and threw punches, is even more deplorable.

Such unruliness would never have been tolerated from any other protest group, given how quick Montreal police usually are to invoke bylaw P-6, which bans masks and requires advance notice of demonstrations. During the 2012 Printemps érable, police kettled, handcuffed, tear-gassed, arrested and ticketed students for much less.

The scandalous spectacle of police allowing other unionized workers to pillage the seat of local democracy and poten- tially imperil the safety of elected officials undermines public confidence.

This disgraceful display was evidently intended to voice union outrage over Bill 3, the Liberal government’s framework for resolving a $3.9-billion municipal pension deficit. Hearings are to start Wednesday.

Tensions have been building all summer, with police wearing camouflage pants and city property being plastered with stickers.

What sympathy the public may have had has surely melted into outrage at this affront to our institutions.

In responding to the incident Tuesday, Police Chief Marc Parent promised an investigation by the Montreal force. But given how badly the rank and file discredited themselves Monday, an outside body should conduct the probe.

The unions may think they can get away with thuggery because such shenanigans have worked in the past.

Premier Philippe Couillard said Tuesday that the government will not bow to bullies. In fact, the antics should only serve to strengthen the resolve of lawmakers to pass Bill 3.

Quebec government and city officials must hold the perpetrators to account and, most importantly, stand their ground.