The Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) has opened an investigation into anti-Semitic gestures made by a Second Cup coffee franchisee during a demonstration.
Posted at 7:38 p.m.
The SPVM received confirmation on Monday that an investigation by the Hate Incidents and Crimes Unit (MICH) is underway. The approach will aim to “contextualize the actions that were taken to know whether it is an incident or a hate crime,” said Manuel Couture, spokesperson for the SPVM.
The franchisee of the Second Cup café at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal was filmed making “hateful remarks” and making “inappropriate gestures,” according to a press release released by Second Cup on Saturday.
Read the article “A café closed due to “hateful remarks” made by the franchisee”
PUBLICATION TAKEN FROM THE SECOND CUP CANADA FACEBOOK PAGE
According to LCN, the publication would be linked to videos which circulated widely on social networks, taken during the student demonstration for Palestine which took place near Concordia University.
In a first video, we see a woman wearing sunglasses making a Nazi salute towards counter-protesters who are waving Israeli flags. In another, we see her, in the same place, wearing a keffiyeh and her face covered by a mask, making anti-Semitic remarks.
Julien Corona, spokesperson for the Advisory Center for Jewish and Israeli Relations (CIJA), said Tuesday that the organization “welcomes positively” the opening of the investigation, and that it wants charges to be brought against the franchisee. .
“However, this should never have happened,” he continued, blaming in particular the “complacency” of the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante. “This complacency allowed such a speech, a horrible greeting, and the violent actions that followed to take place,” he added.
“Damage and damaging”
The facts date back, according to the press release, to Friday evening, when a demonstration against NATO was taking place.
Benoît Allard, spokesperson for the Collectif Disinvest pour la Palestine, which co-organized the demonstration, denied that the events could have taken place on Friday. According to LCN, the events would have occurred on Thursday.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Benoît Allard, spokesperson for the Divest for Palestine Collective
Contacted by The Press on this subject, the Resistance Coalition for Union Student Unity (CRUES), which organized the demonstration which took place Thursday near Concordia University, strongly condemned these acts. “This is unacceptable, this was not at all the objective of the demonstration. It’s a shame and damaging what happened,” reacted Olivier, CRUES representative to the media.
Second Cup made the decision to close its branch with the approval of the Jewish General Hospital, where the cafe is located, according to the statement released Saturday. The company said it will retain employees at the branch and continue to pay them until the cafe reopens under a new franchisee.
With Chloé Bourquin, The Press
How do Second Cup’s actions in closing its branch reflect the tension between freedom of speech and the responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment?
## Interview Questions for Second Cup Incident
This article raises many complex issues surrounding free speech, hate speech, business responsibility, and community response to harmful actions. Here are some open-ended interview questions designed to provoke thoughtful discussion and diverse perspectives, divided into thematic sections:
**1. The Incident & Individual Responsibility**
* The article describes the woman’s actions as making “a Nazi salute” and “anti-Semitic remarks.” How do you interpret these actions? Are they simply offensive expressions, or do they cross the line into hate speech?
* What are the potential motivations behind these acts? Could they be tied to broader social and political tensions?
* Do you believe individual actions like this should always be met with such severe consequences, even if they are deemed offensive by many?
**2. Second Cup’s Response & Business Ethics**
* Was Second Cup’s decision to close its branch a justified response to the incident? What other options might they have considered?
* Does a company have a responsibility to take action against customers who engage in hateful behavior on its premises? Where should the line be drawn?
* How can businesses balance the needs of their customers with their responsibility to create inclusive and safe environments for all?
**3. Community Response & Accountability**
* The article mentions criticism of Montreal’s mayor for “complacency” regarding anti-Semitism. Do you agree with this assessment? What role should city officials play in addressing this issue?
* What responsibility do community groups and individuals have in condemning hate speech and promoting tolerance?
* How can different groups with opposing viewpoints engage in constructive dialogue about sensitive issues like this?
**4. Freedom of Speech & its Limits**
* Where do you draw the line between freedom of speech and hate speech? Is there a clear and universally accepted definition of hate speech?
* Should there be legal consequences for hate speech, or are other forms of intervention more effective?
* How can we encourage open and respectful discourse while protecting vulnerable groups from harmful expressions?
**5. Moving Forward & Preventing Future Incidents**
* What lessons can be learned from this incident? How can we prevent similar episodes from happening in the future?
* What role can education, intergroup dialogue, and community initiatives play in combating hatred and discrimination?
* How do we create a society where everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of their beliefs or background?
Remember, these are just starting points. The goal is to encourage in-depth discussions and allow for a range of perspectives on this complex and important issue.
