(Montreal) A wave of patriot flags, Quebec melodies and faces adorned in green, white and red swept through the streets of Montreal on Monday during a march to celebrate National Patriots’ Day.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The participants took Avenue Papineau, then Rue Beaubien to Parc Molson, in the borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. Many of them waved flags of the patriots and of Quebec. “We have to defend our identity,” said Richard Perreault, sign in hand, who went to the march with his wife, Janique Perron.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society, stressed the importance of remembering the patriots who fought the British troops. “It’s wonderful to see you all gathered here. It’s an important day. It’s a national day to remember what the patriots did,” she told the crowd through a megaphone.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Many politicians were present at the event. “Any sovereigntist movement today, and Québec solidaire is part of it, can claim to be the heir of the patriots,” declared Solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal. “It’s a day to remember the struggles of the past, the struggles for a more just and democratic, more egalitarian Quebec. And it is a reminder that there are struggles that must continue to be waged as well, ”added the co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. Deputy Alexandre Leduc was also present.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
“This is an annual meeting to honor the memory of several generations of Quebecers who have taken action to bring us to a democratically normal society,” declared the leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St- Pierre Plamondon. The CAQ MNA for Anjou–Louis-Riel, Karine Boivin-Roy, was also on hand.