Via Rail passenger trains, as well as Canadian National freight trains, were delayed for several hours Saturday morning after about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked CN tracks in St. Bruno, Que., south of Montreal.
The CN-owned railway line connects Montreal to Halifax, from where protesters claim goods are shipped to Israel.
Local Longueuil police said they received a 911 call at around 10:05 a.m. asking protesters blocking the tracks at the intersection of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Seigneurial boulevards to move. After protesters refused to move, the police emergency intervention unit dismantled the barricade about an hour and a half later, according to police spokeswoman Melanie Mercille.
Police say four officers were pepper sprayed and four people, including men and women in their 20s and 30s, have been charged with offenses ranging from obstruction to assault.
Mercille said other protesters fled and police were patrolling the area to ensure no other laws were broken.
CN workers check their equipment in St. Bruno, Que., Saturday, June 29, 2024. A police spokesman said a group of about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the railway, leading to two arrests for nuisance and obstruction.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kristin Muschi
In a press release, a group called the Ad-Hoc BDS Direct Action Collective blamed CN Rail for helping transport goods to Israel, which they accuse of committing genocide in its conflict with Hamas. According to the release, the blockade was intended to “temporarily disrupt trade by closing a vital artery and draw attention to Canada's material support, and inspire further direct action of boycott, divestment and sanctions.”
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The UN's top court concluded that there is an “imminent risk of genocide” in Gaza – a charge Israel has strongly denied, telling the court it is making every effort to protect the civilian population during its military operation in Gaza. Israel claims the operation in Gaza is focused on destroying Hamas and bringing home the remaining hostages taken after the October 7 attacks.
It is the latest of several actions across the country demanding divestment and sanctions against Israel. A week ago, Camp set up in Victoria Square Camps were also built in Old Montreal, as well as numerous camps on university campuses across North America, including one at McGill University which still exists.
In most cases the police have not intervened.
Some in St. Bruno on Saturday questioned the tactics used by protesters.
“I think when we're talking about protests in the city, which are usually organized, it would be a different thing than blocking critical infrastructure like the railway, which is used by passenger and commercial trains,” Maxime Beaudoin told Global News.
In his view, blocking railway tracks is potentially dangerous and could derail the activists' message.
Protesters at the camps have told Global News that disruptive actions are effective in getting public attention.
Regarding Saturday's blockade, CN said only that it was aware of the situation and was monitoring it, and that it had referred questions to police.
In an email sent to Global, Via Rail wrote that because of the protest, “train traffic was delayed, which caused delays for Via Rail trains 35 and 24 headed to Quebec City.” According to Via, one train arrived in Montreal at 2:08 p.m., a delay of about three hours.
Police and CN crews cleared the tracks just before 2 p.m.
— With files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press and Alessia Maratta, Global News
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
