“Neo-Nazis”, “pedophiles”, “rots” … An explosive cocktail of insults was served during an LGBTQ + demonstration which degenerated Sunday morning, in front of a library in the city of Sainte-Catherine, where is held the hour of the story by Barbada.
“It’s really difficult this morning. We receive so many violent insults, we are called names. There are even shots that have gone, ”says a member of the LGBTQ + community who did not want to be identified.
Nearly 200 demonstrators gathered Sunday morning in front of the Sainte-Catherine library, on Saint-Laurent street, where ideologies clash.
Photo Audrey Robitaille/JdM
On the one hand, story-time opponents are led by conspirator François Amalega Bitondo, who became known during the pandemic for his opposition to health measures. On the other, the LGBTQ+ community, which stands up in the face of the attacks it has suffered.
“That’s enough, the hate! You are here to continue to spread your hatred, but we are going to answer you,” chants an LGBTQ+ activist in the face of opponents.
Photo Audrey Robitaille/JdeM
“I have children and I want to protect them. That’s why I’m here. We should teach our children to cook and manage their expenses before being a drag queen, ”argues a fifty-year-old against story time.
Escalation of violence
Less than an hour after the start of the demonstration, the anger could already be felt among the demonstrators. From insults, the participants quickly came to fists.
“There were at least two arrests and one injured in the first hour. The support of police services from other regions has also been requested,” said Constable Sandra Blouin, spokesperson for the Roussillon Police Department.
The tires of leader François Amalega were also punctured during the demonstration.
Photo Audrey Robitaille/JdM
Story time maintained
Despite the protests of recent days regarding the hour of storytelling in the company of drag queen Barbada, the City of Sainte-Catherine says it is “proud” to have gone ahead with this project.
“Today’s story hour was intended to promote tolerance and inclusion, a society without discrimination. We are proud to have held it,” underlines Amélie Hudon, Director of Communications.
She hopes that the story hour will serve to open a discourse on tolerance and acceptance of the other.
” I believe that [les événements] today show us that we still need to talk about tolerance in order to reduce discrimination,” she adds.