More than a hundred people marched in the streets of Montreal on Monday, on the occasion of National Patriots’ Day. Several politicians and artists took part in the event organized by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal.
Many patriot flags, green, white and red, floated in the air during the march, which took place under the sun.
Walkers of all ages gathered around noon at Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Park, in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.
“It’s been 20 years since we celebrated National Patriots’ Day, but it’s been more than 185 years since these patriots fought for us. It is still relevant since French is declining, says Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society. We have to remember that, that this democracy, and this social justice, does not come by itself. »
To the sound of French music, the group walked to Molson Park, in the Rosemont district, where several speeches were delivered in a festive atmosphere.
The leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, spoke to the crowd, as did the parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire (QS), Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, and the member of the Coalition avenir Québec ( CAQ) Karine Boivin-Roy.
Former minister and PQ MNA Véronique Hivon, who was named Patriot of the Year this month, also delivered a speech. The youth representatives of the PQ, QS and CAQ also paid tribute to a “modern patriot of their choice” during a speech.
Several DJs were also on hand, and slammer Zéphyr Bielinski gave a performance. Actress Ludivine Reding moderated the rally.
Several actors from the political class have highlighted National Patriots’ Day on social networks.
“As Premier of Quebec, it is my primary responsibility to ensure the sustainability of our French-speaking nation in North America, and it is with pride that I am inspired by the great values of freedom and democracy that have guided the patriots, ”wrote Prime Minister François Legault in a post on Twitter.
“Today we remember the struggle of the patriots. And we salute the courage of these men and women who fought for freedom and democracy. Let’s celebrate our culture, our values and our language,” posted the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, on the same social network.
The leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Marc Tanguay, also highlighted this day in a publication. “The legacy of the patriots is above all the story of all those who courageously fought to forge the free and democratic society that is the Quebec of today,” he wrote.
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This dispatch was produced with financial assistance from the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for News.