Residents of Montreal came together at Carré Saint-Louis on Saturday for the March to Independence, organized by Oui Québec and the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal.
This event commemorated the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Quebec referendum and aimed to showcase a growing wave of support for Quebec’s sovereignty movement.
Camille Goyette Gingras, president of Oui Québec, highlighted the evolution of the independence movement, stating, “The movement is now led by a new generation, primarily youth, and it has become a citizen-driven initiative, unlike in 1995 when it was primarily led by political parties.”
Participant Adam Levis-Paquette expressed excitement, saying, “The turnout and energy here are beyond my expectations. It’s incredibly enjoyable.”
In a related statement, demonstrator Nicolas Frenette addressed misconceptions about anglophones and Quebec’s independence, emphasizing the importance of French while also recognizing the diversity of languages and cultures within the province.
Despite a recent Léger poll showing that 65% of respondents are currently uninterested in sovereignty, Marie-Anne Alepin, president of Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, noted that this figure is not unusual outside of campaign periods, with historical support for independence hovering around 35-40%.
Gingras summed up the sentiment of the event by describing the independence project as a celebration of Quebec’s identity and values.
Frenette concluded with an inclusive message, saying, “Quebec welcomes all individuals with open arms, embracing diversity and accepting everyone for who they are.”
