SPVM calls for calm after protest for man who died after police intervention turned violent

Montreal police are asking people to remain calm while continuing to express themselves following a protest that led to six arrests on Sunday.

People rallied in the streets of Saint-Michel around the family of a man, 29-year-old Abisay Cruz, who died at the end of March following a police intervention. 

Insp. David Shane, a spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), says the demonstration was peaceful, but some "badly intentioned" people infiltrated it and were "aggressive," throwing objects at officers as well as rocks and smoke bombs at Highway 40.  

Police said six people were arrested — four for armed assault against an officer and two for assault also against an officer. Nobody was injured.

"What we'd like to do today is send a message of appeal for calm, please," said Shane. 

"We understand that following these types of events, people have questions, especially the family, and it's all legitimate," he said, adding that's why Quebec's police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), is investigating. 

"But in the meantime, please, we cannot let these demonstrations go awry," he said. 

Altercation between Cruz, police

On March 30, at around 8 a.m., a call was placed to 911 reporting a person in crisis behind a residence, according to initial information released by the BEI.

Montreal police officers arrived a few minutes later, and an altercation occurred between officers and a man at the scene and officers eventually restrained him. 

The BEI says the man, who was later identified as Cruz, suffered a "malaise" and lost consciousness. He was given first-aid and transported to hospital where he was declared dead, according to the BEI.

Cruz's death was the second following an operation by the SPVM in less than 12 hours that weekend — and the third on the same weekend at the end of March. The BEI is investigating all three cases.

A crowd of people made their distrust of Montreal's police corp known Sunday afternoon as they marched toward the Saint-Michel police post, just a few blocks south of where Cruz died. 

Community organizer Stéphanie Germain, who spoke at the march, said residents of the neighbourhood are anxious. 

"We were told things would get better, but today we're afraid," Germain said. "Unfortunately, today we ask ourselves what is the role of police if not to protect."

Shane said police will "always be there" to secure protests and ensure they occur peacefully, but that citizens need to be patient and let the BEI do its work. 

"Anybody who loses somebody close to them will have these questions and it's totally normal and we understand that. But we need to let this process be realized. We need the independent investigation to be conducted," said Shane.