MONTREAL – Several key players from environmental and social justice groups came together to denounce the criminalization of peaceful protest. This united statement responds to the arrest and prolonged detention of three environmental activists as well as a broader wave of repression against the movement.

The activists from Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective who scaled Jacques Cartier bridge on October 22 were held in custody for several days after their arrest. Normally, peaceful activists are released after a brief detention with a promise to reappear before the court. This time, the Crown chose to keep them in prison. According to these groups, the Crown’s decision marks a worrying turn towards a criminalization and repression of the environmental movement. A solidarity rally took place Thursday morning October 31 at 9am in front of the Montréal courthouse. 

“Recent statements by Québec’s Minister of Public Security, lamenting the media coverage of “environmental propaganda,” illustrate the slippery slope we find ourselves on. The rest of Canada has also demonstrated worrying signs of toughening the state’s response to direct action. This year, Chief Dsta’hyl, the Chief of the Likhts’amisyu clan, of Wet’suwet’en nation, was declared in 2024 a “prisoner of conscience,” the first in the country, by Amnesty International. The picture that is beginning to emerge is not a bright one” said France-Isabelle Langlois, general director, Amnesty International Canada Francophone.

“Non-violent direct action has advanced justice throughout history. Now more than ever, climate action is urgent. We shouldn’t be criminalizing and punishing those brave enough to risk their lives to draw attention to this subject. Criminalizing and detaining these activists sends the wrong message. We’re punishing those who act to expose climate inaction, yet we don’t hold accountable the corporations and governments that fail us on climate. We’re in solidarity with the arrested activists and reiterate our demand for the immediate release of the activist still detained” said Louis Couillard, Mobilization Lead, Greenpeace Canada.

“Repression of peaceful environmental activists has no place in a democratic society. As we near COP29, where world leaders come together to debate our climate future, it’s imperative to remember that civil society – whether that be in Canada, in Québec, or elsewhere – has the right to speak out without fear. Recent climate negotiations like those in Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates were marked by restrictions on freedom of expression. Do we not see a repressive shift here, with the detention of these activists? The right to express oneself and to oppose climate inaction is essential to guarantee social and environmental justice. Instead, let’s tackle the real problem and hold accountable the corporations that are already causing so much damage to our province and the rest of the world,” said Leïla Cantave, Québec Lead, Climate Action Network

“Even if we do not resort to civil disobedience, we share the activist’s position : the government’s actions on the current social and environmental crisis are not enough. Inequality continues to rise in Canada, while we should be working on reducing this to avoid the most catastrophic scenarios. These situations inevitably generate great levels of distress. So, we’re not surprised to see more and more people resort to these tactics, to exert pressure and make themselves heard,” said Alexandre Huet, citizen mobilization lead, David Suzuki Foundation. 

ENDS

Notes to editor:

On Tuesday morning, Jacob Pirro was released under very strict conditions until his trial: curfew from 11pm to 7am, a ban on speaking publicly about the case, a ban on being in the company of more than three people in public, and a ban on possessing climbing equipment. Olivier Huard, on his side, will not be released before the date of his bond hearing, October 31, 10 days after his detention began, an unprecedented decision in a climate activism case in Québec. He is currently being held in solitary confinement. Released on Sunday, Michèle spent 3 nights and 4 days in jail, following her arrest at the foot of Jacques Cartier bridge. As she was acting as police liaison, it is unclear why Michèle was arrested and detained. The Crown judge granted her release with the following conditions: she is prohibited from being in the company of more than three people in public, she is prohibited from speaking about this affair on social media, and she is prohibited from speaking about this affair with the media.

For more information, please contact : 

Laura Bergamo, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada

[email protected] ; +1 438 928-5237