‘Anti-capitalists’ rob, vandalize Montreal bakery to mark International Worker’s Day

About a dozen masked individuals robbed and vandalized a Montreal bakery early Friday in what was one of several incidents tied to International Workers’ Day demonstrations that also saw more than a dozen arrests and clashes with police across the city.

Around 8 a.m., a 911 call reported a group had entered a Mamie Clafoutis location on St-Denis St., according to Jean-Pierre Brabant, a Montreal police spokesperson.

“That group of people, who were masked, went to get some goods and items and left without paying,” Brabant said. “At the same time, there was graffiti done on the building, mainly on a front window. There were no altercations. They left with the goods.”

No arrests had been made in connection with the bakery incident as of Saturday, he added.

The bakery posted a video of the incident on Instagram, showing the masked individuals entering the shop. The bakery said the “individuals entered, filled their bags, shouted that ‘everything is free,’ called themselves anti-capitalists … and then vandalized the storefront.

“This isn’t activism. It’s theft,” the bakery added, noting it is a Quebec-based business employing local workers and suppliers.

“Attacking a local bakery — is that your revolution?

“Because in the end, you’re not attacking ‘the system.’ You’re attacking people who work,” the bakery wrote. 

An anonymous social media account appearing to claim responsibility framed the act as a protest against the Scan & Go and self-pay system the bakery uses. The bakery has used this system since about 2024, The Gazette has learned, partnering with retail tech startup Leav.

The post included an image of a masked individual holding bread from the bakery with a lit candle. It described the action as in “total rejection of the encroaching gaze of surveillance and the false gods of capitalism.”

Mamie Clafoutis also offers traditional payment at the counter.

It was among several events across Montreal tied to May Day, which in Canada is not a statutory public holiday, but is observed globally as International Workers’ Day.

Brabant said a similar incident occurred at a Maxi grocery store Thursday evening in the Rosemont neighbourhood.

A group of masked individuals entered at night, looted the store and left graffiti. Brabant said it is not clear whether it is connected to the incident at the bakery.

Later Friday, a protest that began at Square Victoria moved through the downtown core. 

Brabant said around 8:30 p.m., some participants threw projectiles at officers, adding there was no damage reported to buildings.

Fourteen people were ultimately arrested, including for the alleged assault of a police officer, Brabant said.

Officers used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

The police have opened investigations into the incidents.

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