Scouts Canada announced Friday that it would not take part in Montreal's St. Patrick’s Parade on March 22 due to the possibility that a march against police brutality, to be held at the same time, could lead to violence.
Scouts Canada declined to offer any further comment when contacted by CTV Montreal.
The Collective Against Police Brutality march is scheduled for Sunday March 15 but organizers added a second date one week later, to intentionally coincide with the parade.
The annual Montreal anti-police brutality march frequently results in conflict and large numbers of fines, including 288 handed out last year.
Protest organizer Francois Du Canal told CTV Montreal that the group planned the second event in order to be able to blend in to the larger event and avoid arrest.
He denied that the strategy could end up endangering innocent revelers.
“One thing for sure, no one will hurt families,” said Du Canal. “We’re not against St. Patrick’s Day. If there’s any violence, it will be coming from police.”
Scouts Canada confirmed that they would participate in the Hudson parade on March 21 and the Chateauguay parade on March 29.
