A sea of red, a slew of slogans, a ‘perfect’ demo
Protesters, organizers win praise from police as 4½-hour march through the streets ends without a single arrest
By all accounts, it was a perfect demo.
Thousands of students, parents, union members and even dogs gathered in Place du Canada on Thursday afternoon to take part in one of the biggest demonstrations in Quebec history.
There wasn’t one arrest, smashed window or serious injury reported – and unlike last week’s demonstration against police brutality, the police kept their distance and for the most part, were out of sight.
Most marchers wore at least some red – the colour of debt and symbol of the mass student movement that has grown in recent weeks – while others were dressed in it head to toe, painted faces included.
The crowd began gathering in the square at René Lévesque Blvd. and Peel St. shortly after 11 a.m., fingerpainting red slogans on their bodies, or slathering sunscreen on their bare legs and chests, soaking up the summer-like sunshine.
“We want to be educated, not indebted!” they shouted in French, as groups within the crowd banged drums in unison.
The atmosphere was festive, with lots of Oh my Gods!, followed by hugging, kissing, singing and even one group of women step-dancing to fiddle music.
Thousands of moments were captured through the lenses of mobile phones, and social media buzzed with excitement.
Student nurses were on hand to give first aid if needed.
At about 1:30 p.m., the crowd began to move north along Peel and Metcalf Sts.
While some made it to Sherbrooke St. and turned right, another crowd headed east on Ste. Catherine St. and still others turned back to walk along René Lévesque Blvd.
Some drivers, trapped on side streets, turned off their engines, resigned to the long wait.
One man pushed his trapped scooter through the crowd on Ste. Catherine, then rode the wrong way up City Councillors St.
Store managers stood outside, nervous smiles crossing their faces as they watched the seemingly endless flow of people walk by.
Protesters carried placards proclaiming Quebec’s “Printemps Erable” and quoting various philosophers or hoisted effigies of Premier Jean Charest.
High school students, university professors, union activists and pro-sovereignty demonstrators helped swell the ranks, which wended their way through the downtown core, arriving at Jacques Cartier Square in Old Montreal, where the crowd dissipated.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anything like this,” a bemused businessman said as he watched from the steps of his office near St. Laurent Blvd., recalling his own days as a student protester in Paris more than 40 years ago. “We were a million strong.”
Opportunity knocked for Archie Kasha, who was selling water at $2 a bottle from his ice cream truck in front of the Cours Mont Royal shopping mall.
“So far, I’ve sold six cases,” said Kasha, who didn’t seem phased by students who scoffed at his prices. “I haven’t sold any ice cream yet.”
As students from campuses across the province – who arrived by the busload – streamed by, a cluster of protesters carrying black and red flags hung back.
Most wore hooded jackets and covered their faces with scarves, T-shirts, scuba masks and swimming goggles. Eventually, they joined ranks with the other protesters.
“Everything went well,” said Lt. Ian Lafrenière of Montreal police as the protest broke up just after 6 p.m.
“No one has been apprehended. So far so good. It was a perfect protest.”