Protest draws crowd outside Montreal North police station at heart of racism allegations
Posted June 15, 2026 3:48 pm.
Last Updated June 15, 2026 11:38 pm.
A protest against police racism drew demonstrators to Montreal North on Monday evening, days after the Montreal police (SPVM) announced the suspension of two officers and the reassignment of a team of police personnel over allegations of misconduct.
The demonstration, organized by the Collectif Opposé à la Brutalité Policière (COBP), took place outside Station 39 on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard East under the banner “Police raciste, système complice!” (“Racist police, complicit system”).
Part of the area surrounding the station was temporarily blocked off as protesters gathered with signs and listened to speeches.
Montreal police maintained a visible presence throughout the evening, monitoring the crowd and nearby streets.
The rally followed disciplinary measures announced by the SPVM late last week, which reignited debate over racism, racial profiling and accountability within the police service.
Protest follows disciplinary action by SPVM
The protest was organized in response to allegations involving members of the Montreal North police station that the SPVM said included discriminatory and racist behaviour toward members of the public, as well as alleged misconduct during a police intervention.
Late Friday, the SPVM announced it had suspended two officers and relocated a team of officers assigned to Station 39.
Police said the measures followed an internal investigation launched in March after reports of allegations of unacceptable conduct by members of the station.
While the investigation remains ongoing, the SPVM said information gathered so far was sufficient to justify immediate action.
According to the police service, the alleged conduct could constitute serious breaches of the SPVM’s disciplinary code and Quebec’s police ethics code. The SPVM also said possible Criminal Code offences are being examined.
A file has been submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
Police chief calls allegations unacceptable
In a statement released Friday, SPVM Chief Fady Dagher described the situation as “completely unacceptable” and said racism and discriminatory behaviour would not be tolerated within the police service.
“I won’t hide the fact that it shocks me deeply,” Dagher said. “Maintaining a bond of trust with all communities is crucial. Our commitment to fighting racism and discrimination remains constant and unwavering. I can assure you that racism and any reprehensible behavior have no place here and will not be tolerated. The actions taken today are proof of that.”
‘We’re not just going to let it go unnoticed‘
For some demonstrators, the allegations confirmed what they described as long-standing concerns about policing in Quebec.
Svens Telemaque, an author and motivational speaker, said his reaction to the announcement was one of resignation rather than surprise.
“I wasn’t surprised at all. I’m completely numb to all of this stuff,” he said. “It’s been happening for decades. Decades and decades.”
Telemaque pointed to past cases and internal criticism of the SPVM, arguing the problems have been documented over time. He said the protest was about ensuring the issue remains visible.
“We’re not just going to let it pass. We’re not just going to let it go unnoticed,” he said.
Telemaque also questioned whether enough is being done in response to the latest allegations, adding that greater oversight is needed in policing.
“At the very end of the day, there’s never really been justice for people that look like me on the island of Montreal when police mess up,” he said.
He added that the issue extends beyond Montreal North.
“This is nothing new. This is not about Montreal North. This is not about Post 39. It is all around Quebec. If we have people all the way in Shawinigan talking about seeing an all-White Quebec, this is not a small situation. This is a major situation. This is just the very first time that the police pretty much threw their own police officers under the bus. And that doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t make me feel any better because in my mind, I’m like, what is really going on behind the scenes?”
Community members describe shock, concern
Others at the demonstration said they were more surprised by the latest allegations, but attended to show support for their community.
“I was really shocked,” said Samir Bensalem, a Montrealer who grew up in the neighbourhood. “I’m glad that some police came out together to actually say this is not right,” he said.
Bensalem said he attended the protest to stand with residents and ensure the message remained peaceful.
“I just want to show up for the neighbourhood I grew up in,” he said. “Since I was young I saw stuff that we wouldn’t see in other neighbourhoods.”
He said his goal was unity.
“I want it to be peaceful. I just want to share my message today,” he said.
“Racism is not welcome in our community and we just want to live peacefully and all together,” he said. “No matter your colour, no matter your religion, no matter what.”
Concerns about repeated police stops
A protester who asked not to be identified said the allegations reflected patterns she believes are familiar in racialized communities.
“The revelations we heard from the police chief left me speechless,” she said.
She said she believes repeated police interactions disproportionately affect Black and Arab communities in Montreal.
“We have heard many testimonies from people who are stopped repeatedly because they are perceived as being of Arab, Black or African origin,” she said.
She added that these experiences can have lasting effects on young people.
“In some communities, young people become stigmatized,” she said. “Instead of taking care of these children and teenagers, we push them toward paths that are far from the right ones.”
‘Disgusting, but not surprising‘
Hantz Vius, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, said the allegations confirmed what many residents have been saying for years.
“Disgusting, obviously. Disgusting, but not surprising,” he said.
Vius said the issue is not limited to one police station, but reflects broader structural problems.
He argued that meaningful change would require collective organization and sustained pressure from affected communities.
A call to acknowledge racism
Julian Grau Brown, a Montrealer who attended the demonstration said he believes the solution requires fundamental change to policing in the city.
“I am a firm believer that the people in Montreal North and the people in the Montreal area will be safe if we’re to abolish the police.”
“I know this is something big to say, but the police officers here in Montreal do a lot more harm than good for the marginalized communities here in Montreal.”
Grau Brown said he believes the response to Friday’s announcement should be collective and rooted in solidarity.
“I think we have to show solidarity in numbers about the racial injustices that happen and that continue to happen within the Montreal area,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
Corena, another Montrealer at the protest, said Quebec society has long struggled to confront racism directly.
She said that reluctance has contributed to ongoing division and mistrust.
“We need to remember to acknowledge that we are a racist society with a racist history,” she said.
“And that’s the only way things will change — by acknowledging where we’ve come from and where we are now.”
Long-standing advocacy group organized demonstration
The COBP, founded in 1995, advocates against police brutality, racial profiling and abuses of power. The group says it supports people who have experienced police misconduct, helps individuals navigate the police ethics complaint process and provides public education about legal rights.
The organization also conducts research and monitoring activities, including documenting police interactions in public spaces and publishing information related to policing, civil liberties and accountability.
