Today, a judge issued a decision regarding the conditional release of Olivier Huard, one of two supporters of Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective, who climbed Montreal’s Jacques Cartier bridge last Tuesday, resulting in its closure for seven hours. Huard was one of three people detained, alongside Michèle Lavoie and Jacob Pirro. Pirro was released on Tuesday and Lavoie last Friday, though with repressive conditions that include restrictions on their freedom of assembly and speech. Huard started a hunger strike on Saturday morning, demanding his immediate release with no conditions, and was consequently being held in isolation. All three have been charged with mischief, with additional charges for Pirro and Huard of willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Last Generation Canada is demanding the federal government endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas and coal by 2030 and support and finance other countries to make a fast, fair and just transition. They are also demanding the creation of a National Emergency Management Agency to respond to unnatural disasters like wildfires and floods. Antigone Collective, alongside Last Generation, is demanding the shutdown of Enbridge's Line 9B pipeline.

This afternoon, at the Palais de Justice de Montreal, a judge decided that Huard will be released with conditions less repressive than those of Pirro and Lavoie. Huard’s conditions include: showing up to court; reporting change of address or occupation to court; cannot communicate with the co-accused; cannot have any climbing equipment in his possession except in cases of work or teaching; and cannot appear at the Jacques Cartier bridge, except to cross it for transportation. Unlike Pirro and Lavoie, Huard is not banned from attending a protest, discussing his case with the media or on social media, or appearing in public with more than three people. Also unlike Pirro, Huard does not have a curfew. Although the prosecution pushed for Huard to be released with similar conditions to Pirro and Lavoie, the judge ultimately struck them down.

Outside the courthouse, supporters of both groups held a rally that was attended by upwards of 200 people, many of whom also packed the courthouse and adjacent viewing rooms. Regarding Huard’s release, defence lawyer, Barbara Bedont, had this to say:

“Mr. Huard fought for the right of all accused to not be subjected to unreasonable conditions. This is a victory not only for him but for Quebec society.”

Laura Sullivan, spokesperson for Last Generation Canada, was also at the courthouse. Regarding Huard’s release she had this to say:

“Today, some sense was knocked back into the justice system. Olivier is not a criminal but a truth-teller. He’s someone who dares to defy a deadly status quo – underpinned by fossil fuels – that is killing people all around the world. We will continue to support Olivier and fight the repressive conditions placed on Jacob and Michèle, who are calling for common sense solutions to what scientists say we desperately need in order to maintain life on this earth: a definitive end to fossil fuels and a National Emergency Management Agency.”

Today’s hearing and rally comes after a UN report was released last week, which finds the world is on track for a catastrophic 3.1℃ of warming. This month alone, deadly floods have killed people in British Columbia, Spain, Nepal and the Philippines, while Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through the southern US. Continuing to pump fossil fuels into the atmosphere ensures extreme weather events like these will increase in severity and frequency. Experts confirm that Canada is currently not prepared for the myriad impacts of the climate emergency.

It’s clear – governments and fossil fuel companies are waging war on humanity. Continuing to extract and burn oil, gas and coal is killing people all over the world and will destroy whole nations. The Canadian government has failed to address the impacts of the climate crisis at just 1.5 degrees of warming. They’ve failed to act against the biggest threat we’ve ever faced, meeting with fossil fuel lobbyists as Canada floods, scorches and burns. We refuse to die for fossil fuels and we refuse to stand by while millions are murdered. We refuse to watch as our government drags its feet to take action to protect us. We ask everyone to join us in the resistance. We have a plan. Are you in?