A large crowd was expected to mark the 100th day of Quebec student protests against the Provincial government’s decision to unilaterally raise tuition fees – Nobody expected the turnout to be as large as it was – much like the “occupy” movement in the united states.
Hosni, from Algeria, was one of the participants in the march, and although neither a student himself nor a native Quebecer by birth, his presence and support for the student cause clearly shows that what had started out as a Quebec student movement now embodies the vision of social justice shared by all progressives.
Bill 78 had been rushed into legislation only hours early by the Quebec government – effectively making illegal the wearing of masks and rendering all gatherings involving 10 or more people illegal, without proper permit approval. By the end of the day over 200 000 people were knowingly and openly marching together in defiance of Bill 78.
There have been comparisons made between the current legislation of Bill 78 and the War Measures Act passed in Canada in the early 1970s, when Canada’s prime minister ordered Canadian tanks and soldiers into the streets to quell the protests of the Quebec Nationalist Movement. Organizers of the Student protest movement have already launched a case in Montreal Municipal Court to challenge the legality of Bill 78 itself – Much to the dismay of those in the business community.
A successful call has already been made for a student strike until the student’s tuition fee demands are met.
That is what the student protest organizers would like to see. Student Organizers like Leo Bureau Blouin – President of the Quebec University Students’ Federation, seen here during the protest, have become provincial, if not national celebrities – appearing daily and nightly on the French-language television and radio News outlets.
Organizers have already begun campaigns to put an end to Jean Charest’s 10-year reign as Premier of Quebec in upcoming elections.
Next people are expecting the call to be made for a general strike in the Province until citizens’ social justice demands are met.
Tariq Jeeroburkhan, reporting from Montreal.
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