Occupy Montreal set to occupy Square Victoria
Occupy Montreal is set to start at 9:30 am ET this morning.
Montreal-born activist Naomi Klein has commented, “We have picked a fight with the most powerful economic and political forces on the planet. That’s frightening. And as this movement grows from strength to strength, it will get more frightening. …Let’s treat this beautiful movement as if it is the most important thing in the world. Because it is. It really is.”
The Montreal Gazette reports, “The (Occupy Montreal) demonstration, which will mirror the one already taking place in Zuccotti Square in Manhattan, is scheduled to get under way (this) morning, with thousands expected to turn up in Victoria Square. The leafy park is at the heart of the city’s small financial district, and is surrounded by the Stock Exchange, Quebecor offices, Power Corp., several banks, and the World Trade Centre. …Organizers of the Montreal event predict that about 3,000 people will show up. …Montreal police say they have no plans to close any roads to traffic on Saturday in advance of the Occupy Montreal protest, but are reserving the right to change their minds if things get out of hand. …The organizers of Occupy Montreal have maintained that Saturday’s event will be non-violent. There is a bylaw against sleeping in public parks, meaning anyone trying to occupy the square overnight will likely be asked to leave (after 11 pm).”
Another Montreal Gazette article notes, “Organizers say the occupation will be bilingual, and non-violent.”
And CBC adds, “‘We are observing that we are not being represented by the elites, by the governing system right now,’ said Geneviève Dick, one of several organizers behind the Montreal rally. ‘We feel corporate leaders and bankers are heard way, way more than 99 per cent of the population. We really want to be seen, to be heard.’ …The rally will unfold in a way that ‘people can’t avoid seeing us,’ Dick said. …Marches are also planned elsewhere in the province, including Quebec City, the Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.”
The Montreal chapter of the Council of Canadians will be present at Square Victoria this morning. The Council of Canadians also intends to support Occupy Montreal during our Indignez-Vous! conference/ annual general meeting in Montreal this coming October 21-23.
Some 25 Council of Canadians chapters are participating in Occupy events in 21 cities across Canada today. For a fuller listing, please go to http://canadians.org.
