Devil’s Hill protest coming to YouTube

Residents in Montreal have come up with a creative way to protest a barricade that is dividing two neighbourhoods. They are taking their case to YouTube.

For the past two decades the Devil’s Hill barrier has been a point of contention between Lachine and Montreal West residents.

Devil’s Hill, officially known as Broughton Road in Montreal West and as Des Érables in Lachine, has been split into two by a concrete barricade, cutting off access to residents at the top of the hill from those at the bottom.

Originally the barricade consisted of a few concrete traffic dividers and some signs. But in October a raised platform lined with bollards was put up, after several years of court battles between the adjoining neighbourhoods.

The barrier was erected as a traffic-calming measure, preventing drivers from racing down the street en route to highway 20. But concerned residents say the barricade also cuts off access for emergency services, raising numerous safety concerns.

So now, protesters in Lachine have turned political fodder into a folk song. Local filmmakers created a music video for the song, and the group is planning to launch their protest on YouTube.

The video goes live on Youtube with a public launch at Theatre l’Entrepôt in Lachine, 2901 Blvd St. Joseph on Wednesday December 1 at 7:30 PM.

Not only is the group hoping their YouTube protest will go viral, they are also hoping that members of both neighbourhoods will attend the launch party, in an attempt to heal the rift that has divided these communities for years.