Translating the printemps érable

I grab my casserole [saucepan] and start to bang on it with indignation to be quickly joined by dozens of neighbours on other balconies. A new police officer (I got this one’s number, #6023) tells me to stop banging on it or I will get arrested for disturbing the peace. I stop banging on it and ask him why I couldn’t bang on the casserole given that most people around have been doing it all day. He tells me to stop talking to him and says if I ask another question I will be arrested for disturbing the peace. I put the casserole down and agree to stop banging on it but ask him to answer my question now that I have complied. He aggressively gestures his baton towards me so I back up towards the inside of my doorway and tell him he has no right to arrest me for asking him a question. He dares me to ask another question and says he will come arrest me in my house if he has to if I don’t comply. I don’t want one of the new 1000-5000$ fines and he seems violently aggressive so I enter my house, lock the door and go up to my balcony. I never thought I would have to lock my door to feel safe from the police. The neighbours keep banging on pots in pans from the shelter of their balconies.

From my balcony which has a view on Sanguinet street I ask other back up officers placed there if they know what’s happening and the reason for the brutal assault on the peaceful protest. They aim a spotlight and their rubber bullet guns at my face and tell me they will come up there to arrest me if I keep disturbing the peace. I decide they must all be stressed out so, lack of a good casserole I grab my recorder and play them a tune. I am met with the spotlight and further arrest threats along with insults. I re-enter my apartment and lock the back door.

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