Katie Nelson

Katie Nelson (born July 17, 1992) is a Canadian activist currently residing in Montreal, Quebec and attending Concordia University. Nelson is pursuing a degree in Philosophy with a specialization in Human Rights. Nelson is an Anarchist and has organized with the Industrial Workers of the World. Nelson has been involved in strike organizing in the past and her most notable political involvement was during the 2012 Quebec student protests. She is most known for her 2013 civil suit against Montreal Police, Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, and as well a 2015 incident where Nelson was assaulted by two undercover police officers during a protest in Montreal, Quebec.
Activism
Occupy Wallstreet
Nelson was first introduced to activism during the Occupy Wall Street movement. She acted as the Media Spokesperson for Occupy Edmonton. Following the end of the encampment, Nelson continued to work with an ad hoc group organizing similar actions prior to an attempt to Occupy the University of Alberta in an effort to bring attention to the devaluation of education in Alberta. Nelson organized primarily in environmental causes in Alberta.
Harper government response
During this time, the Harper government announced environmental activists were considered terrorist threats.
Quebec student protests
During the 2012 student strikes of Quebec, known as the Printemps Erables, Nelson became involved in organizing protests and night demonstrations, as well as first aid and street medic training and anti-police organizing.
List of SPVM
Nelson is most well known for her participation in the creation of a police cataloguing system that sought to document badge numbers, names and offences committed by police during and after the 2012 protests. It is alleged in a civil suit that the creation of this group led to the persistent and active profiling and targeting of Nelson by police.
Notable Arrests
October 2013 Detainment
Nelson was arrested illegally in October 2012, where she was held at a police station in the City of Montreal for nearly thirty hours without charge. Nelson was detained during a protest before being brought to a Montreal police station and confined to a cell without being formally accused of a crime. A 2013 civil suit claims lawyers were unable to reach her and that the police used sleep deprivation tactics the night before she was to appear in court for her release.
Legal Proceedings
Penal fines and charges
Nelson received nearly $10,000 worth of fines for her involvement in the 2012 protests in Quebec. She attended nearly 30 trials. These fines included jaywalking, swearing, obstruction and as well several 500.1 and P6 infractions. Many of her tickets were dropped due to rulings of unconstitutionality. Including the unconstitutionality ruling for municipal by-law 500.1 and as well P6, (both infractions used to criminalize protests in Quebec).
Appeals
Nelson is currently pursuing an appeal for a decision rendered in Municipal Court against her. The case has not yet been heard in front of the Court of Appeal. Nelson states she was found guilty after receiving a fine from a police officer who was not present during the alleged infraction.
Civil litigation
Nelson is currently involved in one civil suit as a Plaintiff. Nelson filed a lawsuit against the City of Montreal and Montreal Police for political profiling and harassment after claiming to be targeted for over one year by police due to her political activism. Nelson is represented by constitutional lawyer Julius Grey.
2015 Assault
On the evening of December 18, 2015, Nelson claims to have been attacked by two undercover police at the end of an anti-austerity demonstration. Both police officers were named in Nelson's 2013 on-going lawsuit, and were allegedly recognized by Nelson shortly before the assault.
Nelson was attacked by an individual wearing a black mask. Nelson claims the individual was a police officer. As a result of the assault she suffered damage to the tendons in her left arm, some bruising to both knees and a mild concussion. Nelson was hospitalized for neurological and spinal monitoring immediately after the assault. She was released the following day. She has stated since the attack she requires physiotherapy and as well psychological therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.
The SPVM denied their involvement in the attack despite photographic evidence.
Criticisms
Nelson was criticized by right-wing blogger Greg Renouf for her promotion of the Animal Liberation Front.
After being found not guilty for discrimination at a university tribunal, Nelson was criticized by a Pro-Israel group for her advocacy against political zionism and her involvement in a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Israel campaign at Concordia University. Members of an online forum recently criticized Nelson for her public opposition to a planned Montreal meeting of supporters of blogger Roosh V, a meeting that was also criticised by several others including Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre. Some forum members even accused Nelson and a group of protesters of doxxing and harassing attendees.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu