Arrested street performer plans to fight charges

Posted By: Michel Boyer · 7/6/2012 5:21:00 PM

Police arrested Montreal Busker Stephane Moore at Place Jacques Cartier, for performing in the street.

The video of the arrest, below, shows several police officers tackling the man to the ground. The use of force has sparked outrage from many.

Reports say that the man had been warned repeatedly to leave.

The man arrested now faces three charges, including assaulting a police officer.

"Mr. Moore has not signed a contract with the borough," said Anik de Repentigny, a spokesman with the Ville Marie Borough. "Although he has a valid permit, he is not allowed to perform at Places Jacques-Cartier."

The borough said it manages Place Jacques-Cartier to ensure diverse talent and also to give new street performers the opportunity to shine at the popular tourist destination.

Moore was detained for 12 hours, according to his lawyer, Me. Robert Archambault.

"The city has, to use my clients words, autocratically [established the contract and call back system.]"

The lawyer also said he is analyzing the video, but plans to take this case to court.

Leave a comment:

showing all comments · Subscribe to comments
Comment Like
  • 10
  1. DannyK posted on 07/07/2012 09:08 AM This comment was edited by a moderator at 09:21 AM on 07/07/2012
    In accordance with the reports in various other news sources this person was over a period of many days warned that he was breaking the municipal bylaw. He was told that he would be removed unless he complied with the repeated requests to leave. He failed to do so in fact this video is missing part of the events that led up to the physical confrontation. To me watching this it’s clear that he resisted the requests to leave, there was NO unjustified force used in this situation. In my opinion this person is just another example like the whining spoiled students who do not agree with whatever form of rule and or regulation that they are governed by.
    There are rules in place to control various aspects of public behavior. If these rules are unjust or unconstitutional that is up to the courts.
    The police did the job that they are paid to do and did it very well and in a constrained fashion given the circumstances. They should be given praise for self-control.
    1. Busker from JC posted on 07/07/2012 04:07 PM
      @DannyK Do you know that Stephan is part of the old montreal since at least 25 years? Never had any problem since de new law decided by the city ask us to sign a contract that is giving chance to new artists to performe but with so much restriction that it doesn't really help the artists to provide their art. Before talking, please informe yourself.

      Segundo, cops didn't really do their job as they have to. Why they didn't wait until the end of the show after people leave. Why they were in the middle of the show, why can't they just be 2 cups? Is a Clown dangerous?

      Do you know why their were that much cops on the place? Not really right... Do you know that the women in green is the NEW inspector in the place Jacques-Cartier? Did you know that she called the police saying that someone was dangerously playing with fire?

      Again, before talking start asking. :)

      Thanks
    2. tinman140869 posted on 07/08/2012 09:54 AM
      @DannyK @DannK you got that right on point, and people should learn respect towards the police, that man swearing and calling the cops those names in any other city outside of Canada he would have been arrested. I find in this Province are ignore the laws and then they say but why did this happen
    show more replies
  2. SK posted on 07/09/2012 03:12 PM
    psyco street bum tried to body slam a cop on the beton LOCK HIM UP!!!
  3. mark fauchon posted on 03/02/2013 10:31 AM
    looks like montreal cops are going back to the 70's and 80's when street performance was totally illegal,i know as i was a busker in montreal for a quarter of a century and i racked up 13,000 dollars in tickets which i refuse to pay(till this day),i have been threatened,had my guitar illegally confiscated andeven when they began to loosen up and issue permits they still gave me grief at every turn,only when i did volunteer work for the police at xmas time did they leave me be.good luck to all montreal metro and street performers in the future if this is the new official policy,
  4. sammie posted on 04/15/2013 08:52 PM
    So what was the outcome of this story?
showing all comments

News

You are seeing the 2 most recent blog posts.

Most Popular

News Videos

News Audio

Note about comments: Comments will not appear immediately after posting. Comments containing links or vulgar language and comments that are racist, sexist or offensive will not be approved.