At police request, the Riot Act was read at seven o clock on the morning on May 6, 1949, from the steps of the church. Justice of the Peace Hertel O'Brady of Sherbrooke ordered the citizens of Asbestos to remain in their homes or at their place of work and to stay away from the streets of the town. The police had the right to arrest anyone disobeying the order which read as follows: "Our Lord Sovereign the King commands all those present to disperse immediately and to return peaceably to their homes or to their legitiamte occupations; under penalty of being found guilty of an offense punishable by life imprisonment. God save the King."
