OTL Blog

Theatre activists, like actors in a theatre, rely on a gamut of artistic accessories – props, scenery, costumes, make up, and especially masks – to conduct performances on the streets, sometimes during demonstrations. Masks constitute important props in this theatrical arsenal, as they have the power to transform the actor into a different entity, which is then used to convey an activist message through creative performance. Theatre activism troupes such as Vermont’s Bread and Puppet are frequent visitors to Montreal, and mask-performance is integral to their anti-war message.

skeleton drummer at anti-war march

Amongst the various theatre activism groups based in Montreal, OTL is renowned for using masks constructed from recycled materials. These masks often parody political figures, such as Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and without them it would be much more difficult for OTL players to shed light on oppressions through performance-activism.

Stephen Harper puppet at anti-war march

Now it appears that the City of Montreal is attempting to create a by-law that would effectively outlaw masks at all political rallies and outdoor demonstrations. Apparently the Montreal police have asked for the bylaw, claiming they want to be able to “identify participants in violent protests”. Ironically, often when masks are worn at “violent protests” it is by the police forces themselves. Officers are known to wear them when impersonating “violent activists”, as in the recent Montebello case where the agents provocateurs were exposed by quick-thinking real protesters.

agent provocateurs wearing masks

Exposed for their deceit and attempts at instigating violence while “under cover”, the police admitted to impersonating masked activists.

Police are also known to employ a variety of other types of mask when instigating violence during demonstrations, including gas masks, which are used when attacking protesters with tear gas, and riot helmets, which can conceal identities from the public view while simultaneously intimidating those attending the protest.

riot cops wearing masks

more riot cops wearing masks

The question arises as to why the police are allowed to use masks indiscriminately, whereas protesters will not be allowed to do so under the proposed new bylaw. In addition to theatre activists needing masks for their critical performances, other protesters often use masks when necessary, such as gas masks for protection when tear gas has been fired by the police.

Protection from tear gas

Claude Dauphin, chairperson of the Montreal public-security committee, is trying to assuage fears that the bylaw will violate the Charter-entrenched right to Freedom of Expression by claiming allowances would be made for religious face-coverings and for masks during the winter to keep warm. While there was no mention of theatrical masks used by theatre activists, Dauphin suggested that the police were mainly concerned about ski masks, a strange contradiction given that a ski mask can definitely be considered as winter gear.

Luckily for theatre activists and other demonstrators, civil-rights lawyer Julius Grey is following the case closely, looking for parts that might be considered unconstitutional. Freedom of Expression falls under Section 2 (b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and suggests that everyone has the fundamental right to “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.” Banning masks can easily be seen as a violation to freedom of expression; in the case of theatre activism, the mask-ban amounts to artistic censorship.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, police have employed a similar ban on masks, much to the consternation of theatre activist groups such as the Danish Clown Army, who have worked hard to save activist buildings and neighbourhoods from destruction and gentrification. The activist community of Christiania is currently threatened by gentrification and is occupied by round-the-clock riot police, and the Ungdomshuset, an activist youth cultural centre, was demolished after a right-wing church bought it and evicted the youth, much to the anger of activists. Ironically, despite the ban on wearing masks, the police insisted that the demolition workers destroying the historic cultural centre wear masks – in order to conceal their identites.

The real danger is that Montreal police are trying to prevent masks from being used properly – for theatre activism – and are instead insisting on their sole right to use them oppressively – to impersonate activists and instigate violence, to conceal identities, to protect themselves from the chemical weapons being deployed against activists, and to intimidate the very people who are fighting for social justice, the end of oppression, and a better world for everyone. In making these demands, it is evident that the police want to control the theatre on the street, which makes it much more difficult for theatre activists to exercise Freedom of Expression and carry out their critical performances that challenge oppression. In effect, the bylaw would empower police to arbitrarily arrest anyone wearing an accessory on their face or head during a demonstration, and as such could lead to instances of intimidation and abuse. In fact, this is exactly what happens in New York City, and professor Larry Bogad has written a detailed acount of the 1845-mask-ban-bylaw-in-nyc and its detrimental effects on democracy and activism. By forbidding theatre activists from using one of the fundamental tools of the theatre – the mask – the new bylaw is an affront to Canadian, Quebec, and especially Montreal values, and thus, it needs to be challenged vigourously.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 8:00 am and is filed under Activism, Community issues, General, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.