Teh One Who Knocks
07-04-2011, 12:12 PM
The Vancouver Sun
http://i.imgur.com/kXibO.jpg
QUEBEC — Benjamin Tessier wouldn’t have missed the royal couple’s visit to Quebec for anything.
Not because he wanted to catch a glimpse of the popular Prince William and Kate, but because he was intent on voicing his opposition to a monarchy that he says he considers “illegal” and “unwarranted.”
“It’s important to be heard,” he said as the protest was getting underway Sunday.
“But we have to remain calm and peaceful,” added the young man, who was part of a self-styled security team put together by the organizers of the demonstration.
Tessier fits the profile of the typical protester who attended the event organized by the Reseau de resistance du Quebecois (RRQ): He is young, sovereigntist and very interested in politics.
He is also vigorously opposed to the monarchy, which is seen by the protesters as a symbol of how the British conquered the French at the end of the pivotal 1759 Battle of Quebec on the Plains of Abraham.
“I think we are still under siege today, and even if it’s a subtle siege, it’s no reason to stay quiet,” Tessier said.
“If the English Canadians want to celebrate this symbol, good for them, but in Quebec many of us don’t recognize the monarchy,” he said.
The student joined the RRQ when it was formed in 2007 to push for a more hardline approach to sovereignty.
He said he felt the need to get involved — and to leave Montreal very early Sunday morning — for his political ideas.
Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume said he was undeterred by the protesters and fell for the charm of the royal couple, who went off script to do an improvised walkabout near the city hall Sunday.
“It’s important and I don’t think just anyone would have done that. It’s part of their aura,” Labeaume told reporters at the Quebec City airport after he bid farewell to the couple.
“They apologized for not speaking French enough and said they would do better next time,” he added.
The RRQ has a history of disrupting royal events. It organized a demonstration in Montreal against the visit of Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, in 2009.
One person was arrested and they managed to delay the arrival of Charles and Camilla at the Black Watch armoury by about 45 minutes, forcing them to enter through a back door because of the raucous demonstrators.
The group also took credit for the cancellation in 2008 of a re-enactment of the British military victory on the Plains of Abraham by threatening violent disruptions.
http://i.imgur.com/kXibO.jpg
QUEBEC — Benjamin Tessier wouldn’t have missed the royal couple’s visit to Quebec for anything.
Not because he wanted to catch a glimpse of the popular Prince William and Kate, but because he was intent on voicing his opposition to a monarchy that he says he considers “illegal” and “unwarranted.”
“It’s important to be heard,” he said as the protest was getting underway Sunday.
“But we have to remain calm and peaceful,” added the young man, who was part of a self-styled security team put together by the organizers of the demonstration.
Tessier fits the profile of the typical protester who attended the event organized by the Reseau de resistance du Quebecois (RRQ): He is young, sovereigntist and very interested in politics.
He is also vigorously opposed to the monarchy, which is seen by the protesters as a symbol of how the British conquered the French at the end of the pivotal 1759 Battle of Quebec on the Plains of Abraham.
“I think we are still under siege today, and even if it’s a subtle siege, it’s no reason to stay quiet,” Tessier said.
“If the English Canadians want to celebrate this symbol, good for them, but in Quebec many of us don’t recognize the monarchy,” he said.
The student joined the RRQ when it was formed in 2007 to push for a more hardline approach to sovereignty.
He said he felt the need to get involved — and to leave Montreal very early Sunday morning — for his political ideas.
Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume said he was undeterred by the protesters and fell for the charm of the royal couple, who went off script to do an improvised walkabout near the city hall Sunday.
“It’s important and I don’t think just anyone would have done that. It’s part of their aura,” Labeaume told reporters at the Quebec City airport after he bid farewell to the couple.
“They apologized for not speaking French enough and said they would do better next time,” he added.
The RRQ has a history of disrupting royal events. It organized a demonstration in Montreal against the visit of Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, in 2009.
One person was arrested and they managed to delay the arrival of Charles and Camilla at the Black Watch armoury by about 45 minutes, forcing them to enter through a back door because of the raucous demonstrators.
The group also took credit for the cancellation in 2008 of a re-enactment of the British military victory on the Plains of Abraham by threatening violent disruptions.