The
city of Montreal passed a bylaw, which makes it illegal to wear a mask during a
public demonstration without "a valid excuse" and requires organizers
to provide authorities with demonstration routes, could go into effect as early
as Saturday. Montreal police chief Marc Parent told city council on Friday his
force would use "discretion" when applying the law. - Global
News.
Today, May 18, 2012, the Quebec Provincial Government
passed a new law that may infringe on the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
following several weeks of Quebec students protesting tuition hikes. Indeed,
the government admits it “had to act harshly.”
http://www.examiner.com/article/wearing-of-masks-banned-quebec-new-laws-1
Late this afternoon, the Quebec legislature adopted a
historic, controversial emergency law aimed at restoring order in the province
and in particular, Quebec City and Montreal.
The new law will put the current school year on hold
at institutions affected by the student strikes and steep fines for those who
continue to block access to schools when they open again this year.
However, the students vow to oppose the government’s
tough new laws and escalate their campaign, including civil disobedience. Gabriel
Nadeau-Dubois, head of the militant CLASSE student group, told a news conference
that he would be prepared to go to prison.
The head of Quebec's bar association said the
proposals would severely restrict basic constitutional rights, which could
violate basic rights in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. The new
law, which the Liberals say would expire in July 2013, bans protests on or
within 50 meters (yards) of the grounds of a university or college and individuals
breaking the law could be fined up to C$35,000 while student associations face
penalties of up to C$125,000.
Under the Quebec Charter, citizens have fundamental
rights - 1. Every human being has a right to life, and to personal security,
inviolability and freedom. 3. Every person is the possessor of the fundamental
freedoms, including freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of
opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of
association.
9.1. In exercising his fundamental freedoms and
rights, a person shall maintain a proper regard for democratic values, public
order and the general well-being of the citizens of Québec.
In this respect, the scope of the freedoms and rights,
and limits to their exercise, may be fixed by law.
In reference to the Charter, freedom of opinion,
freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly is a legal and given
right, a person shall maintain a proper regard for democratic values, public
order and the general well-being of the citizens of Québec.
Furthermore, the city of Montreal passed a bylaw,
which makes it illegal to wear a mask during a public demonstration without
"a valid excuse" and requires organizers to provide authorities with
demonstration routes, could go into effect as early as Saturday.
Earlier today, the writer was contacted by a member of
a mask wearing Anonymous group who was concerned about the monthly protests in
front of the Montreal Church of Scientology. About 10-20 protesters meet every
month in a peaceful demonstration across the street from the Church’s Papineau
location downtown Montreal. In view of the demonstration not being a march or
blocking pedestrians and the general public from enjoying their Charter rights
of “public order and the general well-being of the citizens of Québec”, Montreal
police chief Marc Parent, made it clear to Montreal city council his force
would use "discretion" when applying the law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfhhVCKpl18
The new anti-mask law should not affect Montreal
Anonymous and they will continue to protest peacefully and freely, without fear
of breaking any laws.
Perhaps contacting the police as they usually do
before a protest date would be prudent.
David Edgar Love
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