Two climate activists, Olivier Huard and Jacob Pirro, recently won a legal battle after a judge ruled that their Charter rights were violated during a daring climb on Montreal’s Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
The activists, associated with Last Generation Canada and Collectif Antigone, successfully had the charges against them dropped, marking a significant victory in their fight for environmental causes.
In a scathing rebuke, Judge Mairi Springate criticized the prosecutor’s handling of the case, highlighting a lack of regard for the rights of the accused and condemning the abusive impact of such actions.
On a brisk morning in October, Huard and Pirro ascended to the top of the bridge to draw attention to climate change, prompting a temporary closure of a key access point to the island and causing disruption during rush hour. Subsequently, they were apprehended and faced charges of mischief and obstruction of a peace officer, only to be later released on bail.
The decision was met with applause from Last Generation Canada, a group known for its activism. They denounced the prosecution’s disproportionate treatment of the activists and emphasized the importance of upholding individuals’ Charter rights in such cases.
