Montreal’s Defund Fest: honouring lives, building community

The fourth edition of the Defund La Police Festival took place on September 21, 2025, at the École de Danse et Culture Chinoise in Montreal, after political interference from Projet Montréal forced organizers to relocate from Sun-Yat-Sen Park. The bilingual, community-centered festival brought together activists, residents, and allies to reflect on policing, housing, and collective struggles for justice.

This year’s edition coincided with the third anniversary of Ronny Kay’s death at the hands of the SPVM on September 19, 2022. Kay, who was deeply involved in his community, was honoured with a moment of silence by attendees and organizers. Organizers noted that his family had been consulted during the preparations of the events, ensuring that his memory remained central to the importance of the discussions.

Throughout the day, participants attended panels and discussions tackling pressing issues. Topics included the use of police body cameras and whether they serve accountability or bureaucracy, police interactions in Montreal’s historic Red Light District, and the financialization of housing with a focus on challenges facing Chinatown residents. Food sovereignty and community-building were also explored, highlighting the interconnections between economic insecurity and policing.

The festival additionally included space for cultural reflection, such as a retelling of Dionne Brand’s short story June’s, which sparked conversation about the “different windows on the city” and alternative visions for hope. Arts for Palestine was also present, emphasizing solidarity with global struggles against dispossession and state violence.

The Defund La Police Festival underscored its ongoing call to reimagine public safety, challenge systemic injustices, and build community-led alternatives.