We are excited to request funding for the fourth annual Festival Defund La Police, which will take place on September 21, 2025, in the heart of Montréal’s Chinatown. This event represents a significant and successful departure from more traditional, often antagonistic, forms of protest within the city’s abolitionist community. It is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of the tangible work being done by individuals and collectives to transform our social landscapes and create a world where the idea of policing communities is unfathomable.
Our journey has been one of continuous growth and learning. The second edition in Parc Vinet was an enormous success, serving as a powerful demonstration of community solidarity. Following that, our third edition at Parc Angrignon solidified our reputation and expanded our reach, drawing a diverse crowd of participants and community members. Throughout this process, we have become significantly more proficient at involving rights holders and community members directly in our planning and execution, ensuring the festival is truly by and for the people it aims to serve.
This year’s location in Chinatown is a deliberate and meaningful choice. We are collaborating closely with radical youth organizers from the Chinatown community, who are leading the charge in shaping an event that is culturally resonant and deeply connected to local needs and perspectives. This partnership is crucial to ensuring the festival’s message of community safety and systemic change is authentic and impactful. The event will not only be a platform for protest but also a beacon for popular education and coalition-building.
The festival serves as a critical opportunity for individuals who are new to the concepts of “defund” and “abolition” to engage with these ideas in a non-confrontational setting. Through inclusive workshops, panels, and a Defund showcase hosted by Coalition Defund la Police, we will introduce important concepts and radical approaches to community safety. The day will also feature arts and crafts, live music and variety shows, and snacks and meals, all designed to foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
A central tenet of the festival is popular education. We aim to engage community members to participate and share knowledge that spotlights the necessity of dismantling racist and oppressive systems within the Montréal police force (SPVM). By centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted, we are not only raising awareness but also building the capacity for collective action.
Your continued support would be instrumental in helping us cultivate a greater awareness of systemic oppression, not only among students—our initial target audience—but also among the broader community. It would help us expand our reach and foster a safer, more equitable, and more just cityscape for all. This grant would contribute directly to the resources needed for programming, community outreach, and logistics, enabling us to make the fourth edition our most impactful event yet.
YEARS FUNDED
2025
AMOUNT ALLOCATED
$3,000