Protesters in Montreal and across Quebec took to the streets on International Women’s Day to denounce the American government’s attacks on women’s rights and Canada’s sovereignty. In Montreal, demonstrators wore red and carried signs with the Canadian maple leaf, some even wearing costumes reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale to symbolize the subjugation of women. They compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany and locked arms for eight minutes of silence to make their voices heard. The protest organizer, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, delivered a message denouncing the U.S. administration and the Trump ally Elon Musk.
The protesters denounced the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 and accused the Trump administration of betraying its friends and allies. They criticized the rollback on women’s reproductive rights and the treatment of the country’s neighbors, accusing the administration of siding with murderers and despots. The protesters called for resistance against American far-right authoritarianism and urged Canadians to boycott American products. Similar protests were held in Quebec City, Ottawa, Sherbrooke, Joliette, Victoriaville, and Saguenay, Quebec, with American-born protesters joining in to show their support for Canada.
One protester, Jill Oviatt, braved the frigid temperatures in Montreal to stand up for her adopted country, wearing a Canada toque and holding a sign condemning Donald Trump and Elon Musk as fascists. Another protester, Caroline Plaat, wore a pussyhat and carried a sign in French saying “shut up, Trump,” expressing her desire to resist the threats to women, minorities, and the LGBTQ community posed by the Trump administration. Plaat emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of the administration’s policies targeting marginalized groups. Since returning to office, Trump has signed executive orders targeting the transgender community, including bans on transgender athletes in girl’s and women’s sports.
The protesters aimed to send a strong message to the American government and its allies, calling out their actions and policies that threaten the rights and freedoms of women and marginalized communities. They emphasized the need for collective resistance and solidarity in the face of authoritarianism and discrimination. By taking to the streets and raising their voices, the protesters sought to show their support for Canada and their determination to defend the principles of democracy and equality. The demonstration was a powerful expression of activism and advocacy for women’s rights and social justice, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups in the current political climate.
