Over the weekend, major Black Lives Matter protests took place in several Canadian cities, including Montreal. Most Montrealers went home following the march, but looters stuck around and smashed the windows of downtown businesses along Sainte-Catherine Street, including Steve's Music Store. Now, a manager from Steve's has spoken out to say that, even though guitars, pedals and microphones were stolen from the store, he supports the cause and isn't angry.
"Without any questions whatsoever, it's a noble demonstration and it's clearly far overdue," Lenny Lanteigne told CTV News. While he doesn't support the "hooligans" who looted, he added, "Next to what some people are going through, this is nothing."
Lanteigne said, "I'm not saying 'Hey, come over here and do this next week,' but you know, let's kind of put it into perspective. They're guitars, not human lives."
The store's insurance company is still reviewing the damage, so it isn't yet clear whether Steve's will suffer financially. This came at a particularly challenging time for the business: they only just reopened following coronavirus lockdowns and manufacturing has slowed to a halt. Even if they get the money to replace the lost product, it will be difficult to find a supplier to buy from.
Lanteigne went on to say that, even though the Black Lives Matter protests were sparked by incidents that took place south of the border, Canada has its own history of racism that we need to address, and he's glad that the protests spread to Montreal.
"Something's got to change," he said. "These things can't happen anymore."
Steve's was closed on Monday for cleanup. It reopened on Tuesday.
"Without any questions whatsoever, it's a noble demonstration and it's clearly far overdue," Lenny Lanteigne told CTV News. While he doesn't support the "hooligans" who looted, he added, "Next to what some people are going through, this is nothing."
Lanteigne said, "I'm not saying 'Hey, come over here and do this next week,' but you know, let's kind of put it into perspective. They're guitars, not human lives."
The store's insurance company is still reviewing the damage, so it isn't yet clear whether Steve's will suffer financially. This came at a particularly challenging time for the business: they only just reopened following coronavirus lockdowns and manufacturing has slowed to a halt. Even if they get the money to replace the lost product, it will be difficult to find a supplier to buy from.
Lanteigne went on to say that, even though the Black Lives Matter protests were sparked by incidents that took place south of the border, Canada has its own history of racism that we need to address, and he's glad that the protests spread to Montreal.
"Something's got to change," he said. "These things can't happen anymore."
Steve's was closed on Monday for cleanup. It reopened on Tuesday.
