Montreal police defend handling of royal visit
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | 7:59 PM ET
CBC News
Riot police intervened to push back protesters ahead of Charles and Camilla's visit to the Black Watch armoury in Montreal Tuesday. (CBC)The Montreal Police department is defending its handling of a protest during a Tuesday visit to the city by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
The riot squad was brought in to push back around 200 protesters gathered outside the armoury of the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment on de Bleury Street south of Sherbrooke Street.
The incident delayed the royal couple’s arrival at a ceremony held at the armoury and frustrated some royal-watchers who were there to catch a glimpse of the two.
Douglass Dalton said he was standing in front of the armoury hoping to greet Prince Charles but was pushed back by police officers.
"They moved us all into that laneway over there," said Dalton. "We were five or six deep there so the people at the back couldn’t see the door if they wanted to."
Dalton said he doesn’t understand why police didn’t intervene earlier to move protesters out of the way.
"I think the Montreal police, if they're given the job of getting the heir to the throne to that door by 5:30, they should be able to do it."
Dalton said the protest was inappropriate.
"I don’t think the demonstration was in any way polite to a visiting dignitary even if you don’t agree with the existence of the monarchy," Dalton said.
In the end, Dalton's only glimpse of royalty was on television.
Douglass Dalton says he wishes Montreal Police had intervened earlier to push back protesters. (CBC)
But police said the protest was peaceful and so there was no reason to step in.
"When it became unsafe … we had to proceed," said Const. André Leclerc. "The perimeter has to be safe, and that would include not only the real protesters but the ordinary citizens."
One of the sovereigntist groups that organized the protest said the commotion was worthwhile.
"The British monarchy needs to acknowledge and apologize for the disappearance of a large part of the francophone community in Canada," said Société St-Jean Baptiste president Mario Beaulieu.
After finally arriving at the ceremony through a service entrance, Prince Charles was apologetic.
"How very sorry my wife and I are to have kept you all waiting so long," said the Prince. "I fear there was a little local disturbance."
Three protesters were stopped by police and fined for refusing to clear the way. They will not face criminal charges.
Dalton said he still hopes to meet the Prince of Wales sometime in the future.
