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FLQ & the October Crisis. FLQ. The Front De Liberation Du Quebec Separatist Terrorists in Quebec Responsible for More than 200 bombings Death of at least 5 people October, 1970 = October Crisis. First they kidnap a British diplomat working in Canada.
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FLQ • The Front De Liberation Du Quebec • Separatist Terrorists in Quebec • Responsible for • More than 200 bombings • Death of at least 5 people • October, 1970 = October Crisis
First they kidnap a British diplomat working in Canada • James Cross, British Trade Commissioner • Kidnapped on October 5, 1970 by the “Liberation Cell” of the FLQ • Kidnapping left police with list of demands...
The Demands 1.End of police search 2.Publication of an FLQ manifesto 3.Rehiring of the Lapalme employees 4.Liberation of all political prisoners (23 FLQ members) 5. Denunciation of the informer who had led the police to the capture of a cell of the FLQ in June of 1970 6. $500 000 in gold 7. Safe-conducts out of the country.
Then they kidnap Pierre Laporte • Minister of Labour and Vice Premier of Quebec • Kidnapped on Oct 10, 1970 by the Chénier cell of FLQ • Wrote letter to Quebec Premier, Robert Bourassa, pleading for his life • Executed October 17 - strangled to death and dumped in the trunk of • an abandoned car
Government Response • The Canadian government broadcasted the FLQ manifesto on October 8th, 1970 • Policemen lined the streets of Quebec cities • On October 15th, Quebec government invited the Canadian Armed Forces to Quebec to assist the local police • Federal Government invokes War Measures Act
War Measures Act • Enforced on October 16th 1970 • Police were to arrest those who were suspected of belonging to the FLQ or supported the FLQ through literature, posters, stickers, or pamphlets. • Outlawed FLQ • Suspended Civil Liberties in Quebec • 497 persons arrested, of whom 435 would be released, the other 62 were charged “Just watch me”
Meeting the Demands After Laporte’s Death • After the execution of Pierre Laporte, negotiations were reached between police and FLQ • James Cross was released • 5 known members of the FLQ were flown to Cuba by Canadian Forces • All 4 members of the FLQ’s Chénier cell were captured and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte
Quotes “We are going to win because there are more boys ready to shoot members of Parliament than there are policemen” ~Michel Chartrand, Radical Separtist and FLQ supporter “The Army occupies Quebec. It is unpleasant but undoubtedly necessary in times of crisis.” ~ René Lévesque, Future Premier of Quebec