IATSE Cancels Cirque Du Soleil Protest After Death Of Troupe Founder’s Son

IATSE has canceled today’s planned protest against the non-union performance of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO show in Montreal, following Tuesday’s freak accident that took the life of Olivier Rochette, the son of Cirque founder Gilles Ste-Croix.

Rochette, a 42-year-old technician with the acrobat troupe’s Luzia show in San Francisco, was killed during rehearsals after being hit in the head with a piece of equipment.

The union, which has been trying to get a contract with OVO in Montreal, had planned to hand out leaflets at today’s performance but said it canceled the leafletting “out of respect” and extends its “sincere condolences to all who were touched by the life of Olivier Rochette. Our collective thoughts and prayers are with you.”

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