'Civil disobedience has its limits': Palais under lockdown after NATO protest

Windows were boarded up, police tape blocked many entrances, and there were scores of private security guards and police officers at the Palace of Congress on Saturday.

But many Montrealers seemed unaware that the city’s convention center was a convention centre. Violent pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO protest Friday night Cars were seen burned, protesters arrested, and windows broken in the downtown/Chinatown area.

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Nearly 300 delegates from NATO members and partner countries are meeting in Montreal this weekend for the organization’s annual summit. Following Friday evening’s protest, only two entrances to the Palais were open. Participants of the conference, who arrived by shuttle bus, were taken into the building by uniformed officers.

“We were walking around and saw broken glass and some paint,” said Paola Huve, who was walking around the Palace of Congress on Saturday afternoon. “There are a lot of police everywhere today. It makes me feel very safe.”

“Everyone has the right to protest, but not like this,” Huve continued. “When you destroy your own city, that doesn’t look good for protests.”

Mathias Garcia, walking next to Huve with his two children, agrees. He said it was worrying to see such violence in the city centre.

“We’re from Chile and there were a lot of protests there three years ago, so it was hard to see it because it reminded me (of home),” Garcia said.

Three people were arrested for obstructing police officers in connection with Friday’s protest, one of whom will also be charged with assault.

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According to Montreal police, vehicles were set on fire, windows were broken, smoke bombs were thrown and metal barriers were thrown into the street in an attempt to obstruct the work of officers.

Violence condemned by politicians of all stripes They included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Quebec Premier François Legault and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante on Saturday.

Ryan Donohew, who lives downtown, said there was some noise from the protest, but he didn’t hear much from his apartment on René-Lévesque Boulevard.

“But I think it’s a little ridiculous that another country’s problems have become our problems here,” Donohew said, sitting on a bench in Jean-Paul Riopelle Square.

Léandre Guité also said he was disturbed by the violence and not bothered by the heavy police presence.

“I think security is normal for this situation, because it’s really annoying that people in the area have to go through this,” Guité said. “I’ve seen violence happen. I’ve seen cars burn. That’s actually not the best thing to do.”

Another man, who identified himself as a McGill student, said the violence reflected badly on the cause being protested.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” he said. “I don’t have a personal connection and I understand people have very strong feelings, but I think there are limits to civil disobedience. “I think when it turns to violence, it diminishes the impact of their views.”

He added that there is a lot of anger, especially at McGill, where anger has flared in recent months due to ongoing protests on and around campus.

“There is an air of tension; It’s annoying no matter how committed you are. “You can feel people are nervous.”

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