Duplessis v. The Jehovah's Witnesses : Round III

Crescent Street
Montreal, Quebec
December 4, 1946

There are 3 rounds in Olympic boxing matches. The battle between the Quebec government and the Jehovah's Witnesses went for 3 rounds too. The Premier would go down for the count, but it would not be easy.

The man at the heart of this feud was Frank Roncarelli, a restaurant owner and Jehovah's Witness. Frank's father had opened the restaurant on Crescent Street in 1912. During the 34 years since its opening, the restaurant had always had a license to sell alcohol. On December 4th, 1946, all that changed. Frank had his liquor license revoked, putting the family business in serious trouble. Frank was puzzled. Had he broken the law?

No. Frank was simply one of many Jehovah's Witness targeted for harassment - just ask Saumur & Boucher. As a very successful businessman, Frank helped Witnesses who had been incarcerated for distributing religious pamphlets by bailing them out of jail. Local officials resented Frank's involvement. They told Frank that they wouldn't accept his bonds anymore. Jailed Witnesses would just have to stay in jail. Shortly after, his license was cancelled. Coincidence? Frank Roncarelli didn't think so.

So what did Frank do? Let's time shift forward about 6 months and see...

Part 2 | Part 3