9 days after his violent confrontation at Montreal City Hall at a Palestine solidarity event where he assaulted an activist and journalist and hurled racist and homophobic slurs, Robert Moisescu continues to issue threats of violence online.

Hate Crime Suspect Continues to Make Threats Days After Being Released by Montreal Police

On his blog, Robert Moisescu admits he was the one who palm-struck a photographer and hurled hateful abuse at protesters outside city hall ahead of the Aug. 24 Israel vote.

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The photograph remains largely unseen; the story of Radpride, the immense and routine police repression of demonstrations and the hundreds of innocent people teargassed by the SPVM as they salsa danced on a warm summer’s night in Montreal too, remain largely unknown by the broader public. 3/3

The story of the SPVM attacking a queer demonstration during Pride, in the Gay Village, garnered no national coverage whatsoever, including by independent media. Isaac Peltz was the only other professional journalist present. 2/3

In June, I won the News Photographer Association of Canada’s award for best news photograph of the year for this photograph. It was published here on Substack and in a small slide on a local CBC Montreal report. 1/3

In March, I travelled to Minnesota to report on ICE's terror campaign against residents, as well as how local resistance led to the administration's withdrawl of thousands of agents.

Occupation and Defiance in Trump’s America – The Rover

Three months out from the reduction of ICE agents in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, residents remain on alert.

therover.ca

Last night, Montreal riot police attacked thousands of Montreal Canadiens fans celebrating outside of the Bell Centre after a huge game 7 win in the playoffs. Virtually nothing has been reported in the press about the beatings.

On September 20, 2024, counter-demonstrators opposing anti-LGBTQ+ groups were repressed by the SPVM with tear gas, beatings and pepper spray. The event was yet another in a long history of police violence against queer mobilizations in Montreal. This is the story of that event.

"The SPVM kept beating the shit out of us to let the transphobes march"

How the Montreal police brutalized peaceful queer counter-protesters during the 2024 1 Million March 4 Children

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Remember the time Montreal Police shot tear gas into a downtown park full of hundreds of salsa dancers, including children and babies, on a Saturday night after riot police attacked a peaceful demonstration? It seems one of the wildest stories I covered in 2025 still remains unknown by most.

A Weekend of Extreme Police Violence, Disruption of Fierté MTL’s Parade and the Promise of an Alternative Pride Festival

I had a long and extremely violent weekend. I was severely beaten by SPVM riot police with batons and once again soaked in pepper spray - but that seems to be par for the course for me these days.

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One year since the SPVM riot police pepper sprayed me point blank, without warning, as I took photographs in downtown Montreal during a demonstration against NATO. I still have not regained the full use of my right eye.

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I’ve published a new article discussing the raids of Truxx and Sex Garage and how repressive police violence still defines relations between the LGBTQ+ and police in Montreal.

The Legacy and Enduring Police Violence Against LGBTQ+ in Montreal

Truxx, Sex Garage and the Modern Era.

open.substack.com

My favourite image from last week’s demonstration in Montreal commemorating two years of genocide in Palestine. You can read my full account and a detailed photo essay in my last post.

New piece on the academic strike and other mobilization efforts in Montreal to mark two years of this chapter of genocide in Palestine. The piece is part reporting, part photo essay, and part reflection of my experiences documenting repression, violence and resilience in the city.

Days of Tension and Unrest: Two Years of Genocide in Palestine Commemorated by Student Organizations in Montreal

Over 80k students at Montreal universities and CEPEGs went on strike on October 6-7 2025. Pickets and mass demonstrations were met by police violence and arrests.

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I’ve written an article about the legal saga between Doug Ford’s Ontario provincial government and Cycle Toronto, a grassroots advocacy organization. Read it here:

Doug Ford vs Cycle Toronto and the Future of Safe Cycling

A seismic legal saga, the grassroots advocacy behind safe urban biking infrastructure and a new front in the culture wars

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My summer of rest and relaxation is over. Just kidding, I’ve been working a lot. I’ve written a major four part series about two queer led demonstrations that were viciously attacked by the Montreal police, as well as the broader contexts behind them. The first part will be up next week.

I’m in CBC Montreal this morning for an incredible piece by Charlotte Lepag. The article quotes the family that was tear gassed in a park filled with families during the SPVM’s violent crackdown on Radpride in the Gay Village.

Parents decry police protest response after baby exposed to tear gas at Montreal family event | CBC News

Parents share how their family day turned into a nightmare after they were caught in the middle of a police intervention.

cbc.ca

I’ve written a new article on Substack about my wildly violent weekend during Pride festivities in Montreal.

A Weekend of Extreme Police Violence, Disruption of Fierté MTL’s Parade and the Promise of an Alternative Pride Festival

I had a long and extremely violent weekend. I was severely beaten by SPVM riot police with batons and once again soaked in pepper spray - but that seems to be par for the course for me these days.

open.substack.com

This is an enormous win for cyclists in Toronto. Make no mistake about its importance: people’s lives will be saved by this decision. The fact that PC Premier Doug Ford decided to make a cynical wedge issue over the lives of cyclists should never be forgotten by Ontarians.

Despite the ire of Montreal City Hall, Sean Feucht’s concert did proceed. Two smoke bombs were set off within the cathedral, it’s unclear by whom. One arrest was made after a counter-demonstrator refused to leave the steps of the venue. The concert took place without a permit, fines are expected.

"Catherine Cadotte, a spokesperson for the Montreal mayor's office, told CBC News that the show "goes against the values of inclusion, solidarity and respect" and that the venue would be advised that the concert cannot take place." By all accounts, it appears the concert is still taking place.

City of Montreal intends to shut down MAGA-affiliated musician's concert | CBC News

The City of Montreal is trying to shut down a concert by a controversial Christian rock musician, saying the church doesn't have the permits to host the show and the performance goes against the city'...

cbc.ca

I'll be reporting from Sean Feucht's show tonight in Montreal. The word is that the City of Montreal has revoked their permit for the concert, however according to his socials, it's still going ahead at Ministerios Restauración in the Plateau.

"I stumbled through another cloud of tear gas. Disoriented and surrounded by the echoes of police batons clashing against plastic shields, I could barely see where I was running in the dark streets. My eyes could hardly function after a thorough dousing of pepper spray. The pain was immense. 1/2

These pro-war, pro-Iranian monarchy, pro-regime change demonstrators have some of the most absurd AI slop signs I’ve ever seen at a protest.

A curious melange of counter-demonstators convened on the North side of St Catherine. Monarchists, Zionists and pro-war cheerleeders chanted support for regime change in Iran and continued military action by Israel.

In the hours prior to the United State’s unilateral attack on Iran, around a thousand demonstators gathered at the US consulate in Montreal to oppose the outbreak of war.

I have a new opinion piece out at @therovermedia.bsky.social It’s the culmination of over a decade of my work reporting on SPVM’s routine repression of political expression in the streets of Montreal.

Opinion: The SPVM Has a Police Brutality Problem  – The Rover

Photojournalist William Wilson’s experiences covering 10 years of SPVM repression in the streets of Montreal.

therover.ca

Terminations is an analog photo project I created while working in construction. This piece is a rumination on my time there and on broader labour issues.

Terminations

A project of photographs and musings from my time working in cable installation

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À qui la rue? [whose streets] is a documentary photography project. Starting in 2015, it seeks to document political expression in the streets.

À qui la rue? [Whose streets?]

A documentary photography project of political expression

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My new Substack focusing on my photojournalism, original reporting and essays is live substack.com/@williamwils...

William Wilson | Substack

Photojournalist

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