POLICE RAID SOCIALIST OPPONENTS OF WAR IN VIETNAM
Montreal
Four plainclothesmen, armed with a search warrant, invaded the headquarters of the Ligue Socialiste Ouvriére at 66 ouest, rue Guilbault, and searched the premises for an hour November 10. They refused to show identification but stated their names verbally. The warrant stated that the search was for guns, explosive material, electrical devices, dynamite, detonators, clocks, documents and rubber stamps.
Of the listed items, the raiders found one clock, some rubber stamps and some correspondence. They took these as well as socialist literature, some files and a list of subscribers to La Iutte Ouvriére, a socialist publication available in bookstores throughout Montreal.
The Ligue's activities include the promotion of socialist ideas through literature, forums and demonstrations in opposition to the war in Vietnam.
Mrs. Patricia Mitchell, the president of the Ligue, stated: "The raid follows a pattern of harassment established in August when two members of the Ligue were arrested and held incommunicado for fourteen hours for distributing leaflets advertising a demonstration against the American actions in Vietnam. The raid yesterday occurs as the Ligue prepared for participation in the Student Days of Protest on November 11 and 12. It is an obvious attempt to intimidate those who oppose both the presence of American troops in Vietnam and the role of the Canadian government in supporting American actions." She called for the formation of a committee backed by unions, political groups and others to fight this and similar invasions of democratic rights.
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