Montrealers gathered Monday to mark National Patriots’ Day, taking part in a march honouring the Patriots of 1837 and 1838 and their fight for democracy and Quebec’s national recognition.
Participants assembled at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park in Montreal’s Plateau before marching to Molson Park in the Rosemont borough.
“Because the patriots fought for universal ideas, concepts, ideals, democracy, equality, and mostly liberty, which are the foundations of the republic they were trying to build,” said Eric Figueira-Rodrigues-Simard, Montrealer.
Many attendees waved the green, white and red Patriots flag, symbolizing Irish, French and English communities.
“What I like about the Patriots is that they fought for us and for everything we have today. It’s really important to take the time to celebrate and remember that,” said Felix Brousseau, Montrealer.
“To me, that’s what the Patriots represent, it’s our sense of resistance. Who we want to be, and the kind of future we want for Quebec,” said Marc-André Pijet, Montrealer.
Politicians including CAQ MNA Jean-François Roberge, PQ’s Catherine Gentilcore and Québec solidaire’s Ruba Ghazal also took part in the event organized by Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal.
“The Patriots were people from different backgrounds, all coming together in support of democracy and against the government at the time,” said Marie-Anne Alepin, general president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal.
Figueira Rodrigues Simard said the Patriots’ struggle continues to resonate today.
“Today, the reason we can vote is because they fought, and some of them bled for us to have the right to a responsible government to the people,” said Figueira Rodrigues Simard.
Organizers also highlighted the role women played during the Patriots movement, saying their contributions are often overlooked.
“Women were also part of that movement. They formed groups, held gatherings in their homes, hid Patriots wanted with a bounty, even helped organize escapes to the United States. They played a huge role,” said Alepin.
