A Concordia University student has launched a complaint against police, saying she was the target of racial profiling.
Amal Asmar was sitting on a bench outside Alexis Nihon plaza in the early morning hours of February 4, 2010.
She says she was rooting through her purse when two Montreal Police officers stopped to question her.
Within moments, they pinned Asmar's arms behind her.
"I began to yell and scream because I was in pain," said Asmar. "They began to use excessive force."
The officers then marched her to their cruiser, and gave her a pair of tickets.
"The first offense was for use of city property other than it's intended use and the second was for making a noise other than screaming," said Asmar.
The total: $1028. A stiff price for sitting on a bench, especially for a student.
Police say they were investigating a 911 call about a possible murder, and that Asmar, sitting in the cold with a scarf around her face, resisted.
"Right away the girl was very aggressive with the police officers," said Commander Stephane Plourde.
The Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations says the case makes no sense at all.
"It's a case of racial profiling to a certain extent," said Fo Niemi.
The director of CRARR says tickets, such as those handed to Asmar, are often used against people of colour.
"Her arrest.. her detention, being roughed up and fined a thousand dollars... It's very much an abuse of authority," said Niemi.
Even Commander Plourde admits the fines are steep.
"It's a lot of money, yeah," said Commander Plourde.
Asmar has now filed a complaint with the Montreal Police Ethics board, citing alleged excessive force, and an outrageous fine.
