On March 15, 1997, the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality in Montreal held the first day against police brutality along with the Black Flag collective in Switzerland. The day is now observed across the world. It is a chance to denounce the brutal actions of police, connect activists working for human rights and to create international solidarity.
The day also acts an opportunity to acknowledge those who have been killed, abused, neglected or otherwise affected by the actions of the police or while in their care. Activists acknowledge and question the systemic targeting of Indigenous people, queer folks, people of colour, poor people and other marginalized groups by police.
COPB
The collective formed in 1995, from a defense committee for people arrested during a Montreal protest. It is composed of victims, witnesses and activists concerned with the current level of police brutality.
They work to not only resist the aggression of police through intimidation, threats and physical injury but to inform citizens of their legal rights. They have produced countless educational materials on the rights of Canadians in French, English and Spanish. The collective also holds workshops about interacting with police.
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