Jailed climate activist who climbed Jacques-Cartier Bridge begins hunger strike
One of the environmental activists who scaled Montreal’s Jacques-Cartier Bridge last week is refusing to eat while in police custody due to “unfair imprisonment” and “dehumanizing conditions,” according to the two groups that took credit for the protest.
Activist Olivier Huard, who has been behind bars since climbing the bridge on Tuesday, began a hunger strike Sunday morning, “demanding his immediate release from prison without conditions.”
Huard and Jacob Pirro climbed to the top of the bridge as part of a climate protest, leading police to close one of the main access points onto the island for several hours during morning rush hour.
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They were charged with mischief and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and remain detained pending their next court date on Thursday after the prosecution objected to their release.
A third person, Michèle Lavoie, is facing a mischief charge in relation to obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use of property. She was released Friday, according to the groups Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective
“Huard’s decision to begin the hunger strike follows Friday’s release of fellow supporter Michèle Lavoie with strict conditions limiting her freedom of speech and assembly,” the groups said in a joint statement.
The groups also say the jailed climate activists are facing “inhumane conditions” such as being in a classroom-sized cell with 17 inmates, a toilet, shower, four metal benches and small, hard mattresses on the floor. They allege the accused have not been permitted to change clothes since Tuesday, have not been outside since Thursday, and are allowed to “severely limited” phone calls.
Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction and denouncing government inaction on climate change.
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–With files from The Canadian Press
