More than a thousand people converged on L’Assomption on Saturday to denounce the management of the pandemic by the Legault government. The participants in the “Dehors la CAQ” convoys then marched towards the office of the Prime Minister, under the watchful gaze of many police officers. Everything went smoothly in the end, and there were no overflows.
Posted at 1:01 p.m.
Updated at 3:58 p.m.
“Freedom”, “I remember CHSLD”, “Fini Legault”, could be read on the signs of demonstrators, who arrived at noon in this municipality of approximately 24,000 inhabitants, in Lanaudière. “When the wicked rule, the people complain! “, chanted a demonstrator in front of the office of the outgoing Prime Minister.
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PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
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PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
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PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
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PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
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One of the organizers of a convoy from Baie-Comeau, Kevin “Big” Grenier, had earlier in a speech greeted the demonstrators for their presence. “We’re really proud of you guys,” he said, calling for people to march “to remember everything we’ve been through” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On several occasions, the demonstrators chanted the name of François Amalega Bitondo, this anti-vaccine leader who had burst into several political press conferences in recent months, and who had run into trouble with the law. Mr. Amalega Bitondo was also on site on Saturday, as were members of the Farfadaa group, opposed to health measures.
He is the only François whose name should be chanted. He’s done a lot more than all of us here. That gentleman is a machine, because he, that François, is a gentleman.
Kevin “Big” Grenier, co-organizer of a convoy, about François Amalega Bitondo
On their way to François Legault’s office, the crowd stopped in front of the CHSLD L’Assomption, on boulevard de l’Ange-Gardien, to lay flowers there, “in tribute to the thousands of people who died in solitude. during the pandemic. Some waved at employees and residents who watched them through the windows of the establishment.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Demonstrators in front of the CHSLD L’Assomption
Several also put one knee on the ground, raising two fingers in the air, in front of the entrance to the CHSLD. The demonstrators finally arrived in front of Mr. Legault’s office shortly after 3 p.m. Other trucks were already waiting for them there, sounding horns and slogans. The crowd then gradually dispersed, without causing any outbursts.
Traffic congestion
The arrival of the convoys caused congestion on Route 341, on the outskirts of the municipality, from the start of the day. Staff from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) were already on site to control traffic as trucks and cars displaying Quebec flags converged on Paul-Arseneau high school, the meeting place of the rally.
As a security measure, the City had indicated on Friday that no truck or vehicle identified at the demonstration could go to downtown L’Assomption.
From Highway 40, trucks could only take Route 341, not Route 343. “We will then redirect them to a parking lot, where speeches can be held,” Mayor Sébastien Nadeau explained to The Press. In the city center, he said, “we still want to keep mobility, and room for our emergency services”.
“We feel that the organizers have a certain leadership over the demonstrators, so that inspires confidence in us, but there can always be individuals with other intentions. You also have to be ready for that, ”also explained Mayor Sébastien Nadeau.
‘No bullying’
François Legault and Éric Duhaime, whom demonstrators in the convoys openly supported, have both called for respectful demonstrations in recent days. Mr. Duhaime also called on his supporters to vote to signify their opposition to the current government.
Freedom of expression is an important value in Quebec. On the other hand, it must be done with respect and [sans] intimidation.
François Legault, head of the CAQ
Asked about the subject on Saturday, Liberal leader Dominique Anglade delivered a similar message to all voters “who are tired, who want change”. “I invite them to look at the political formation that we represent […] and vote Liberal on October 3,” she said.
“We invite everyone to calm down, to go and demonstrate [son] opinion calmly, but above all to demonstrate [son] discontent at the ballot box. In the end, the real demonstration must take place in the ballot box. This is where change can happen,” insisted M.me England.
The PQ Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, he recalled on Saturday “that we can express ourselves in society, but we want it to take place in peace”. “There is a right way to express yourself. It all depends on how you conduct yourself during the event. […] There is an important opportunity to be heard, on October 3, in just two days. Let us take advantage of it precisely to send messages, take positions, vote according to our convictions, ”he said.
With the collaboration of Fanny Lévesque, Charles Lecavalier and Tommy Chouinard, The Press