History of DMQ
Drawing on years of activist, international human rights law and movement law experience, Montréal-based criminal lawyer Barbara Bedont founded DMQ in 2024, the first movement law clinic of its kind in Québec and one of the few movement law clinics in Canada. Barbara was joined by a group of women activists who have known each other for several years, and together they have been building DMQ from the ground up. Working together on this project was a natural and organic result of their relationships as well as their common commitment to activism and progressive social transformation.
Within one year of its founding, DMQ supervised four McGill and UQAM law students, represented 40+ movement law cases, moved to a bigger office due to operational expansion, hired a part-time administrator, and benefited from the invaluable support of several volunteers. DMQ members have also given several presentations to the public on movement law, are building relationships with local indigenous and trans movement communities, and accepted three McGill law students for its fall 2025 legal clinic.
Our team
I am a criminal lawyer, navigating between the activist community and the legal profession for over thirty years.
Born and raised in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) on unceded Kanien’kéha ka (Mohawk) territory, I hold a BFA from Emerson College (Boston) and graduated from the Director's Lab at the Canadian Film Center. I am an activist and horror film director.
A few weeks before my admission to the Quebec Bar in 2023, I took a stand alongside jurists denouncing apartheid against the Palestinian people. The deafening silence of the legal community in the face of genocide strengthened my resolve to mobilize my legal expertise for progressive movements. I took criminology courses, led conferences on rights under arrest and got involved with the Association des juristes progressistes. Aware of class issues and the various forms of oppression maintained and reinforced by legislative, executive and judicial bodies, I want to work to make the justice system more accessible and equitable, while maintaining an anti-capitalist and anti-prison vision: “The rich get richer and the poor get prison”.
I am an organizer involved in movements for human rights, Indigenous rights, workers' rights, anti-war, and climate justice.
Pursuing a JD/BCL at McGill University, located on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation in Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal). Originally from K'jipuktuk (Halifax).
Third year law student at McGill University and has worked in community organizing for six years, focusing on Indigenous rights, human rights, climate justice, and divestment.
A Montreal native studying law at McGill University and a registered master-level social worker in Quebec, KM is a transformation-focused advocate passionate about anti-oppressive practice and community organizing.
Ki'ra Jo-Ellen Prentice (she/fae) is a Queer-polyamorous-transfemme-anarchist living in Tiohtià:ke. Fae were born in Ottawa, studied Biology and Drama at Queen's University, then Law and Psychology at McGill University. When not Defending the Movement, Ki'ra likes to play RPG games, see theatre, and get lost in the woods. She is a proud fiduciary to two feline familiars, Octopuss & Katlyn.
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FAQs
Can't find an answer to your question or concern here? Get in touch.
Yes, lawyers at DMQ can provide emergency legal support if you are arrested. Call us at 438-367-3376
Yes. DMQ is committed to access to justice for all of our activist clients. We provide low-bono and free legal services. You might also be eligible for legal aid. Call us at 438 367-3376, send us an email at legal@defendthemovement.org, or fill out the contact form on our website.
You have come to the right place! DMQ provides education and training to individuals and groups fighting for social justice on various topics to protect you and the movement. Our trainings can cover rights and risks, documentation (including video evidence), and police liaisoning. We are happy to cover other legal-related concerns with individuals and groups. Contact us at legal@defendthemovement.org or fill out the contact form on our website to find out more.
This is amazing! At DMQ, there are many ways to get involved depending on your interests, experience and capacity. We want to hear from you! Send us an email at admin@defensedesmilitantes.org or fill out the contact form on our website.
DMQ has a formal legal clinic partnership with McGill University. If you are a McGill law student, contact your clinic administrator to find out more about applying. If you are a law student at UQAM or the University of Montréal, we have had a lot of enthusiastic interest from law students at your universities about DMQ and movement law but have not yet had success in securing a clinic placement arrangement. We are still hoping to form a relationship with your law schools but we need your help. Talk to your clinic administrator about your interest in placement credit with DMQ! Otherwise, DMQ welcomes you as a volunteer intern! Contact us at admin@defensedesmilitantes.org or fill out the contact form on our website to learn more.
You can protect the protest with a donation to help cover legal costs for clients and to support DMQ so it can best serve its clients and empower the movement. Go to the donation page on our website. Any donation is welcome and appreciated. Thank you!