Pinned
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
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.
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.
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 AM
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
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 AM
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.
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.
You can read my full account and a detailed photo essay in my last post.
October 18, 2025 at 1:21 AM
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.
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.
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.
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:43 AM
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.
The piece is part reporting, part photo essay, and part reflection of my experiences documenting repression, violence and resilience in the city.
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:
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
open.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 10:06 PM
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:
Read it here:
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.
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.
September 8, 2025 at 5:52 AM
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.
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.
www.cbc.ca
August 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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.
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
August 12, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I’ve written a new article on Substack about my wildly violent weekend during Pride festivities in Montreal.
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.
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.
July 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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.
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.
July 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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.
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'...
www.cbc.ca
July 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
"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.
By all accounts, it appears the concert is still taking place.
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.
July 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
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.
Reposted by William Wilson
"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
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
June 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
"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
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.
June 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
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.
June 22, 2025 at 4:49 AM
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.
June 22, 2025 at 4:48 AM
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.
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
June 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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.
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.
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
open.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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.
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
substack.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
À qui la rue? [whose streets] is a documentary photography project. Starting in 2015, it seeks to document political expression in the streets.
My new Substack focusing on my photojournalism, original reporting and essays is live
substack.com/@williamwils...
substack.com/@williamwils...
William Wilson | Substack
Photojournalist
substack.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My new Substack focusing on my photojournalism, original reporting and essays is live
substack.com/@williamwils...
substack.com/@williamwils...