In a bold act that challenges the status quo, a group of individuals dressed as Robin Hood recently stormed a food store in Montreal, stealing items and distributing them to protest against escalating food prices. This incident occurred just weeks after the same group, known as "Robins des Ruelles" (Robins of the Alleys), conducted a similar operation dressed as Santa and his elves, highlighting their ongoing campaign against rising living costs.
On a Tuesday night, around 60 participants, many donning iconic Robin Hood-style hats, entered a Rachelle Béry health food store. They took various food items without payment and redistributed these goods to numerous community fridges throughout the city. The group declared this act a "political statement" aimed at drawing attention to the issue of food inflation, which has become a pressing concern across Canada.
This recent theft follows a December incident where members of Robins des Ruelles, clothed as festive characters, raided a grocery store, left some stolen items wrapped as gifts under a Christmas tree, and made headlines for their unconventional approach to activism.
In Canada, the cost of living remains a significant issue, with inflation reportedly rising by 4.7% between November 2024 and 2025, a rate that is more than double the overall inflation figure, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC. The rising costs have left many citizens struggling to afford basic necessities.
One activist from the group, identified as Francis, voiced the frustrations many feel: "Every day, we work tirelessly, just to afford food from profit-driven supermarkets. When working two jobs isn’t enough to cover food, housing, and family needs, any means become justified."
A video shared on Instagram by Les Soulèvements du Fleuve captures footage of the raid, blending scenes of masked individuals collecting food, medicine, and personal care items with clips from the classic film "The Adventures of Robin Hood." In this footage, participants can be seen blocking security cameras with spray paint and expressing their sentiments against profit-driven practices with graffiti that reads “F**k Les Profits.”
In response to the incident, Jean-Pierre Brabant, a media relations officer for the Montreal Police, confirmed that an investigation was launched regarding both the theft and the graffiti. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the event, and as of now, no arrests have been made. Brabant estimated that the stolen goods could amount to thousands of dollars, a figure echoed by the Robins des Ruelles in their statements. He also indicated that police had not yet recovered any of the stolen items.
As for the earlier theft during the holiday season, Brabant noted that it remains under investigation with no arrests thus far. This raises a critical question: as the divide between economic classes widens and essential goods become increasingly unaffordable, how far should individuals go to make their voices heard? Are these acts of theft justified in the name of protest, or do they cross a line? We invite you to share your thoughts—what do you believe about the actions of the Robins des Ruelles?
