Thousands of students and supporters stage peaceful demonstration

McGill students Lily Schwarzbaum, left, and Abbie Buckman
 participate in student protest along René Lévesque Blvd. on
 Wednesday, Aug. 22. (Pierre Obendrauf / THE GAZETTE)

Thousands of students and their supporters gathered in Place du Canada, then marched joyously through the downtown core to protest against tuition fee hikes and call for a more just Quebec, as considerably less happy commuters gazed on, trapped in their cars or buses.


Student organisations FECQ and FEUQ and CLASSE said they were upset the reforms they have espoused have not been included in the political debates by any of the leaders.

“This shows that the election won’t solve the issue,” said Jeanne Reynolds of CLASSE. “Even after Sept. 4, we must continue the pressure.”

Starting at 3 p.m., Wednesday, the thousands of mostly young protesters ended their march less than two hours at Place Jacques Cartier in Old Montreal. They had dispersed by 5:30 p.m., and police reported no arrests were made.

The march was organized by CLASSE and the Coalition opposée à la tarification et à la privatisation des services publics.


Marchers said they were out to send a message to politicians and the public that the student protest movement has not withered, despite the return of students who had been boycotting classes to school.