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Topaloski had also been accused of committing indecent acts, but prosecutor Gabrielle Delisle withdrew those charges on the trial’s opening day.

Topaloski’s lawyer, Véronique Robert, sought to have all charges dismissed on the grounds that her violent removal from the car violated her Charter rights. Videos entered as evidence show Topaloski being manhandled by security guards and dragged by her feet across the pavement.

But the judge ruled that unlike a police arrest, the actions of a private security company are not subject to Charter protections.

Topaloski interpreted her acquittal as a vindication of her protest tactics. “They tried to criminalize it, but today we received proof that we live in a free and democratic country that values this freedom,” she said. “This is reason to speak even louder about the rights of women and to oppose even more strongly all those who ignore and violate human rights every day.”

The 31-year-old Montreal waitress said she would not rule out another action at this year’s Grand Prix, claiming the recruitment of young girls into prostitution remains a big problem in Montreal.

“If (pimps) are getting ready to sell more girls than ever this summer, with a big tourism year because it’s the 375th anniversary of Montreal, feminists on their side are getting ready to assert human rights as one of our fundamental values,” she said.

Femen began in Ukraine in 2008 as a statement against the objectification of women by the sex industry. Topaloski is the most visible Canadian member, having also taken part in Femen protests at Quebec’s National Assembly, Parliament Hill and at the New York City polling station where Donald Trump was set to vote last Nov. 8.