Grenadian-Montrealers demand answers after police crash outdoor fundraiser

Members of Montreal's Grenadian community are demanding answers from the city after a family-friendly, outdoor barbecue was interrupted by about 15 officers from local, provincial and federal police.

The event, held last month on Fête Nationale outside a restaurant in the city's Lachine borough, served to raise funds for the Spice Island Cultural Festival.

The officers from Montreal police, provincial police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) showed up at around 8:30 p.m., according to Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, the vice-president of the Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec.

"It was a shock," she said, while pointing out that there were several children and elderly people present. "It was like a swarm of bees coming. There were so many of them."

Raeburn-Baynes said she can't understand why such a heavy police presence — which included officers from the specialized street gang unit, Eclipse — was necessary. She says officers told them they were there because of a noise complaint.

Raeburn-Baynes and others who were there don't buy it and say this was a classic case of racial profiling.

"So, you bring the RCMP for noise?" she said. "If there was a noise, I can see [you] sending one car with two police officers, check it out, tell us to turn down the music and go on your way."

When asked about the police response on June 24, a spokesperson for Montreal police mentioned CENTAURE, the provincewide police operation meant to tackle gun trafficking and gun violence.

"In light of the CENTAURE strategy, police officers from the Eclipse unit, accompanied by partners with the Sûreté du Québec and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police conduct sporadic visits in different bars and and restaurants in the city," the spokesperson said, adding that they are meant to gather information and increase police visibility and the population's sense of security.

The police spokesperson added that after speaking with the organizer about the noise, the officers left without handing out any ticket or statement of offence.

CBC News later asked if there was any reason to believe the gathering had anything to do with gun violence or gun trafficking. The spokesperson did not directly answer the question but said that given the number of people present at the event, the local police station asked for backup before intervening, and that assistance can come from any group of officers.

"I had to explain to my nephew and my son, 'no, you will not get shot or Tasered' because, you know, the police come and they always have their hand [on their weapon]," said Tracy Veilleux, the festival's artistic director, who is married to a man of Grenadian descent.

"That day, they were not serving and protecting. They were scaring people."

A spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said the city is dedicated to fighting racial profiling, is following the file closely and will ask Montreal police to meet with organizers.