Pro-Palestinian activists disperse after blocking railway south of Montreal; police make 4 arrests

Dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters dispersed a couple of hours after setting up a blockade of a railway south of Montreal to disrupt goods destined for Halifax and ultimately Israel, organizers say.

The activists, many of whom covered their faces with masks and keffiyeh scarves, began blocking the rail line near Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville Saturday around 10 a.m.

Longueuil police (SPAL) tells CityNews the roughly 30 protesters fled and dispersed before noon — about 90 minutes after being asked to leave by police.

SPAL says their officers used pepper spray during the intervention. Four officers were affected by their own pepper spray. No protesters were injured, they say.

Four people were arrested: a 31-year-old woman for mischief; a 33 year-old man for assault and obstruction of a police officer; a 28-year-old man for obstruction; and a 24-year-old woman for assault on a peace officer.

Police believe the dispersed protesters remain in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.

“We have a lot of patrol in the city and we are watching them,” said Longueuil police spokesperson Melanie Mercille.

It’s on! Rail Line Blockade of vital trade artery with the Zionist state south of Montreal, near St-Bruno. #FreePalestine #Manifencours : des militant-e-s bloquent un chemin de fer utilisé pour transférer des biens entre le Canada & “Israël"#boycottZim #desinvestir4Palestine pic.twitter.com/HeIYzwxpq3

— Solidarité sans frontières #StatusforAll (@SolidariteMTL) June 29, 2024

Social media posts from organizers Solidarité sans frontières showed dozens of protesters on location, wearing rain ponchos and with banners behind them.

“Goods travel between Montreal and Halifax on Canadian National (CN) freight trains and then on to Haifa aboard ships owned by Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.,” the organizers allege in a press release.

“This blockade aims to temporarily interrupt trade, draw attention to Canada’s material support, and inspire further boycott, divestment, and sanctions.”

There was a large police presence by late morning – both Longueuil police and CN police.

When Longueuil police arrived on the scene, Mercille told CityNews the protesters were not negotiating with police officers and didn’t provide them any information.

“We sent them orders and they did not obey, so two people were arrested, and the other ones fled away by foot,” Mercille said.  

While officers will not pursue any new arrests, Mercille confirms that might change “if they do a criminal act.”