2 Groups Of Montrealers Marched For Tougher French-Language Laws Than Those In Bill 96
Montrealers took to the streets on May 21, protesting for tougher French-language law reform than what was proposed in Quebec's new Bill 96. Three hundred and fifty people responded to the event on Facebook.
The demonstration — dubbed Grande marche pour le français, with the slogan "En français, c'est non négociable!" — was formed by two sovereignist groups: the Mouvement des jeunes souverainistes and the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal (SSJB).
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"Let us be numerous and united in the streets to show our unwavering support for a French-speaking Quebec and to demonstrate our expectations for even bolder and stronger measures," said Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the SSJB, on Facebook.
"We have a responsibility [...] to ensure that Quebec becomes a French-speaking country."
MTL Blog's Alex Melki was on the scene of the protest, which began at the foot of Mount Royal, where protesters held up signs with slogans like, "Quebec libre, Quebec français."
Other protestors were seen giving speeches comparing Quebec's language debate to the Cuban Revolution and wearing Palestinian keffiyehs, which are Arab scarves, to cover their faces.
"There is no [appropriate] era for freedom," a protester said.
