Journalist says he was beaten by Montreal police at anti-AI protest

A freelance journalist says he was assaulted by Montreal police while covering an antiartificial intelligence protest downtown last week, prompting press freedom groups to call for an investigation. William Wilson said he was peppersprayed, pushed to the ground, kicked and punched while wearing media credentials and identifying himself as a journalist. He said the incident left him concussed and sent him to the emergency room. The protest took place near the Palais des congrès on Sept. 16, alongside the AI summit All In. Montreal police said their operation began after an arrest and later escalated when a projectile was thrown toward officers. The force said Wilson’s case has been referred to its professional standards office. Wilson’s employer, The Rover, published an open letter demanding accountability, and the Canadian Association of Journalists joined the call. The mayor’s office said the allegations are serious and should be examined carefully.