Sylvie Provost never thought three signs on her front lawn could cause her so much trouble.
But they did.
The Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Que., resident put the signs up last Friday.
In the days following, she received countless threats from people over the phone, in online messages and even at her doorstep – demanding she take them down.
The signs encourage people to attend a protest against the Dr. Guy Turcotte verdict.
Not criminally responsible
The former cardiologist in St-Jerome, Que., was recently found not criminally responsible for stabbing his two young children to death.
Turcotte murdered his son, five-year-old Olivier, and daughter, three-year-old Anne-Sophie, on Feb. 21, 2009.
Many Quebecers, Provost included, are outraged with the verdict, which came down on July 5th.
A protest against the jury’s decision is set to be held on Aug. 6 at the Montreal courthouse.
Provost plans to attend. She put the signs on her lawn to encourage others to take part.
The signs show pictures of Olivier and Sophie. The message indicates the protest is in their names, but some neighbours are angry the signs are on her lawn.
They told her it’s noise pollution and that since the trial has finished – Provost should forget it and move on.
Anti-sign by-law
They also point out that according to municipal by-laws, residents can’t put such signs on their lawns.
Neighbours threatened to file a complaint with the city.
Though no official complaint had been filed, word spread of the sign controversy.
City officials were forced to react.
On Wednesday, Jean-Marie Beaupre, city manager, confirmed that no action will be taken against Provost.
“Even if there is a complaint or two, we do not intend to pursue the matter,” he said.
Hundreds of emails
In the meantime, hundreds of people have written messages on social media sites supporting Provost, demanding that she not be fined for the signs.
Since the city officials confirmed they would not fine her for her signs, Provost said she’s received 500 emails of support.
She said even though no one can bring the children back, it’s important to fight for justice.
“The verdict doesn’t make sense,” she said in French, noting she hoped the event would “force the government to rethink the justice system for the future.”
On Wednesday, a Facebook page giving information on the protest had more than 1,200 confirmed participants in Montreal.
Demos are also planned in other cities, including:
St-Jerome
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Longueuil
Quebec
Riviere-du-Loup
Trois-Riveres
Joliette
Gatineau-Hull
Sorel-Tracy
Laval
Granby
To view the Facebook page on the Turcotte verdict protest, click here: Justice Quebec.
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