250,000+ Defy Anti-Protest Law in Quebec

Anonymous on May 24, 2012 · at 5:01 pm EST/EDT

thanks for posting these items!

two new ones:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZKqheNT68

— these spontaneous gatherings (“casseroles”) are occurring across working class districts in Montreal every night at 8 pm. people are gathering, banging pots and pans, and marching in defiance of the infamously repressive Bill 78.

2. http://vimeo.com/42702955

— background video on the movement and its methods.

Unfortunately, most of Anglo Canada is totally clued out about what is happening in Quebec, and is mostly hostile, expressing a deep national chauvinism. However, trade unions and social movements in English Canada are sending solidarity funds and political support. Last night the police arrested more than 500 people in Montreal, so the state is responding with elevated repression. Many experts are comparing the repression to the War Measures Act of 1970, when the federal government sent troops into Quebec to arrest the Left and stop the FLQ.

It cannot be overstated that the movement in Quebec is leading the fight against neoliberal austerity in North America — and the logic of the conflict points to bigger questions about capitalism and the role of the state, etc.

VINEYARDSAKER: on May 24, 2012 · at 5:46 pm EST/EDT

@anonymous: thanks for posting these items!

Not at all. Thank YOU for drawing my attention to these amazing developments.

Unfortunately, most of Anglo Canada is totally clued out about what is happening in Quebec, and is mostly hostile, expressing a deep national chauvinism

Very, very sad indeed. They should take their cues from the 99% Occupy movement in the USA who is very much aware of what is going on. National chauvinism is always used by the plutocrats to divide and rule over us. They did that in the Middle-East, in the Balkans, in Africa, in Asia, Latin America and, of course, they do that in North America too.

Last night the police arrested more than 500 people in Montreal, so the state is responding with elevated repression

Well, yeah, I would expect nothing else from them. Sadly, Canada is as much ‘occupied territory’ as the USA.

Do you know anything about Andre Marin? I was impressed by his report on the police violence at the Toronto demos. I know that he was an Ontario Ombudsman and not a Quebec Ombudsman but still – he can speak, no? Was he interviewed about this? Does Quebec have its own ombudsman?

Cheers!