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Decisive moment between Montreal police and a young protestor captured on camera
WATCH: A photograher captured emotional moments between the organizer of a Quebec protest and a protestor. The organizer put herself between the protestor and police. The encounter ended with the being embraced by the organizer. Global's Felicia Parrillo spoke with the organizer and the photographer – Jun 9, 2020
Thousands hit Montreal streets on Sunday to speak out in turn against racism, systemic discrimination and police brutality, in an event sparked by the death of a Black man, George Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25 after a white Minneapolis cop was shown on camera kneeling on Floyd’s neck.
Just as tempers began to flare, protest organizer and member of the Black Coalition New Generation Anastasia Marcelin stepped in.
Marcelin, member of the Black Coalition New Generation marching with protestors on Sunday June 7, 2020.
Dave Gogan / Facebook
“I wanted that day to go off without a hitch,” she said. “I didn’t want us to be criticized. I didn’t even want to see one broken bottle in the street.”
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Marcelin, who is Black, says she was determined to keep things peaceful.
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Marcelin leading protestors during Sunday’s peaceful demonstration against racism and police brutality.
Dave Gogan / Facebook
As Marcelin tried to defuse the situation, Montreal photographer, David Gogan, captured it all through his lens.
He snapped photo after photo, showing Marcelin trying to calm everyone down.
“There were two female protesters who were visibly upset,” said Gogan. “Before she arrived, they were yelling at the cops, screaming, they were right in the front.
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“She just took them, she embraced them, and she just gave them love, even though they met her with anger.”
Montreal’s police chief Sylvain Caron had an offer to attend the rally rescinded on Saturday after organizers explained some participants and groups were opposed to his presence.
The force said on its social media page it respected that decision and noted officers would be present to keep tabs on the march.
Montreal Police announced the end of the protest on Sunday afternoon and described it as peaceful. But remaining protesters were met with tear gas bombs in the city’s Old Port hours after the demontration was declared over.
On Tuesday, Marcelin and Gogan met for the first time.
She thanked him for capturing the moment and sharing the story.
“I’m happy that there’s someone else to tell this story,” said Marcelin. “And I’m happy it’s not someone from my community ― that’s even more important to me.”
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