For
immediate release - Attention news editors Montreal, June 16, 2008 - Anti-colonial activists based in Montreal will join protests in Quebec City against the march of Canadian Armed Forces soldiers in Quebec’s Old City on July 3, 2008. Block the Empire-Montreal – a direct action, anti-war collective – will be supporting the “Guerre à la guerre” Coalition in Quebec City and once again taking to the streets in opposition to Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. Last June 2007, Guerre à la guerre and Block the Empire were among the groups that sent an open letter to the households of CFB Valcartier, urging average soldiers to resist deployment (www.valcartier2007.ca), and also disrupted a night-time departure parade of soldiers in the streets of Quebec City. This year’s march of CFB Valcartier soldiers occurs on the 400th anniversary of the “founding of Quebec”. Protesters are organizing an “Anti-Colonial Contingent” to denounce 400 years of colonialism and militarism, and to support current Indigenous struggles for justice and self-determination (from Lac Barrière to Nitassinan, from Kahnawake to Nunavik). “The July 3rd military parade is part of the Canadian Forces’ public relations strategy and we oppose this unabashed show of propaganda”, stated Patrick Cadorette, an organizer with Block the Empire-Montreal. “Many of the soldiers who will take part in this parade have just returned from their deployment in Afghanistan and we believe it is essential to take the streets to again denounce this brutal and unjustified occupation.” Sophie Schoen, also of Block the Empire-Montreal, stated: “The official 400th anniversary celebrations disregard the colonial foundations of Quebec and present a whitewashed version of history. It is important to recognize that Quebec and Canada are founded on the theft of native land.” She adds: “In this context, we say that 400 years of colonialism is nothing to celebrate.” “We are organizing an Anti-Colonial Contingent in Quebec City against the organizing capacity and propaganda machines of the governments of Canada, Quebec and France, the City of Quebec, and the Canadian Armed Forces,” explained Jaggi Singh, also an organizer with Block the Empire-Montreal. He adds, “Even if modest, it’s still important for non-native groups and individuals to publicly demonstrate a clear anti-colonial and anti-war message; we will re-iterate in Quebec City on July 3: “Ni patrie, ni État; Ni Québec, ni Canada!” Background info available at: http://j3.amp-montreal.net -30-
Patrick Cadorette
514-688-3065
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