The demonstrators flooded several houses in downtown Montreal on Saturday, singing “shame on you” at the door of the United States Consulate.
It was one of the more than a dozen demonstrations held across Quebec to mark International Women’s Day and denounce the attacks of the American government against women’s rights and the sovereignty of Canada.
In Montreal, many wore red, symbolic of blood and love. Some signs displaying the Canadian maple sheet.
Some wore dresses reminiscent of the Handmaid tale, a dystopian novel in which women are submitted by the governing regime.
Others wore panels comparing the administration of US President Donald Trump to that of Nazi Germany.
The demonstrators locked their arms as eight minutes of silence were observed.
In a message to Trump, vice-president JD Vance and Trump Ally Elon Musk, protest organizer Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette denounced the American administration.
“You are not the kings. We are not servants, ”she said.
Sharing the scene with Barbeau-Lavalette, a colleague organizing the Mother’s Front in, Laure Waridel, targeted the decline in the American government on the reproductive rights of women and the treatment of the neighbors of the country.
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“Shame on you for your treatment of women,” she said, referring to the reversal of the United States Supreme Court to cancel the constitutional right of abortion in 2022.
“Shame on you for your betrayal of your friends and allies,” added Waridel, accusing the Trump administration to “place himself with murderers and despots” and undermine democracy.
“You can try to intimidate us with us with commercial wars, (but) we will never become your 51st State, “she said and called on Canadians to resist the rise of authoritarianism of the American far right and to boycott American products.
Elsewhere, demonstrators demonstrated before the American consulates in Quebec as well as the United States Embassy in Ottawa. Demonstrations also took place in Sherbrooke, Joliliette, Victoriaville and Saguenay, Qué.
Jill Oviatt, born to the Americans, was one of the demonstrators by defying the icy temperature in Montreal. Dressed in a Canada toque, she said that she felt the need to take to the streets and defend her adopted country.
“I want to protect Canada, not just protecting the United States … from what is clearly a takeover by trying to take control of this wonderful and magnificent country,” she said, holding a sign that called Donald Trump and Elon Musk fascist and compared them to the ticks.
“I am here today because there is an attack on women, there is an attack on minorities, there is an attack on people who are not billionaires,” said Oviatt.
Wearing a cat, Caroline Plaat stressed the sign she was holding to describe the message she wanted to send: “Your Yeule Trump”, he read in French, which results in “Tair, Trump”.
Plaat said she was motivated to go out and be among others who want to resist what the Trump administration represents.
“I have never felt more threatened. All our freedoms are threatened at the moment, especially for women but (also) for the LGBTQ community, “she said.
Since his return to his duties, Trump has signed a multitude of decrees aimed at the Transgender community, including the ban on transgender athletes participating in the sports of girls and women.
“I really want to feel that I am not alone,” said Plass. “There are many people like me who still believe in peace and love.”
This Canadian press report was published for the first time on March 8, 2025.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press