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<\/p>\nMontreal police have opened an investigation after demonstrators staged a mock beheading of an effigy of Quebec\u2019s labour minister during a May Day rally, drawing widespread condemnation from political leaders.<\/p>\n
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Video from the event shows protesters using a guillotine to cut the head off a papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 figure of Jean Boulet before cheering and kicking it.<\/p>\n
The Montreal Police Service confirmed an investigation is underway, adding a \u201cdeep analysis\u201d of the incident is being conducted.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMock beheading of Quebec labour minister at May Day protest draws outrage\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for Montreal,\u00a0called the act unacceptable.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s terrible that people can do that,\u201d she said, adding \u201cthose people must excuse themselves. We are not like that in Quebec,\u201d Rouleau said.<\/p>\n
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Legal experts say the act could carry potential criminal consequences.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there could be a potential charge for a death threat. I mean, a guillotine is associated with an execution,\u201d said lawyer Eric Sutton.<\/p>\n
He added it remains unclear whether prosecutors would pursue charges, but \u201cthe potential is certainly there.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, major unions including the Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration des syndicats d\u00e9mocratiques, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration des syndicats nationaux, Centrale des syndicats du Qu\u00e9bec and F\u00e9d\u00e9ration des travailleurs et travailleuses du Qu\u00e9bec distanced themselves from the act, calling it an isolated incident.<\/p>\n
They said thousands of people took part in the International Workers\u2019 Day demonstration, which they described as peaceful from start to finish.<\/p>\n
Premier Fran\u00e7ois Legault said on social media that unions had a responsibility to denounce what happened and noted they did so quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am convinced that we will demonstrate that it is possible to move forward constructively without violence or threats,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
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The group behind the performance, known as the Workers Alliance, defended its actions in a statement, calling it a \u201ccarnival-style performance\u201d meant to evoke \u201ca historic symbol of popular anger against out-of-touch elites.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The group said it believes most people present understood and supported its message, adding \u201cthe real threat to democracy isn\u2019t paper-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 puppets, but policies that primarily serve the interests of the elites.\u201d<\/p>\n
The demonstration comes amid tensions following job losses after Amazon\u2019s departure from Quebec, leading to the loss of over 4000 jobs, which the group blamed on Boulet and the CAQ government.<\/p>\n
Some Montrealers said the protest crossed a line. \u201cYou could agree or disagree with their politics, but it doesn\u2019t have to turn into dragging their heads through the streets. That\u2019s unbecoming of our democracy,\u201d one person told Global News.<\/p>\n
Workers Alliance said it will continue to encourage workers to pressure those in power, saying the working class is \u201cdone apologizing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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