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COURT THREW OUT CROWN'S APPEAL IN CASE OF ABUSIVE POLICE ARREST OF BLACK YOUTH



Montreal, January 13, 2012 --- In a ruling that came down two days ago, the Superior Court of Quebec dismissed the Crown's appeal of a Youth Court decision that acquitted a Black youth on the charge of obstruction of justice.

The youth was arrested in 2009 in Lasalle, a South West district of Montreal, by a Black police officer who violently grabbed the youth, dragged him from the bus, arrested him and then charged him with obstruction of justice (a criminal charge) and loitering (a penal offense). The police was called when a group of Black youth was asked by a fast-food restaurant to leave for being loud and a nuisance to other customers.

CRARR is representing the youths before the human rights commission in a racial profiling complaint.

More information to come.