Protesters flooded several blocks in downtown Montreal on Saturday, chanting “shame on you” on the doorstep of the US Consulate.
It was considered one of greater than a dozen demonstrations held across Quebec to mark International Women’s Day and denounce the American government’s attacks on women’s rights and Canada’s sovereignty.
In Montreal, many wore red, symbolic of each blood and love. Some donned signs displaying the Canadian maple leaf.
A couple of wore robes paying homage to The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian novel through which women are subjugated by the governing regime.
Others carried signs comparing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to that of Nazi Germany.
Protesters locked arms as eight minutes of silence was observed.
In a message addressed to Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and Trump ally Elon Musk, protest organizer Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette denounced the U.S. administration.
“You usually are not kings. We usually are not handmaids,” she said.
Sharing the stage with Barbeau-Lavalette, fellow organizer at Mères au Front, Laure Waridel, took aim on the U.S. government’s rollback on women’s reproductive rights and treatment of the country’s neighbours.
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“Shame on you in your treatment of women,” she said, referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022.
“Shame on you in your betrayal of your mates and allies,” Waridel added, accusing the Trump administration of “siding with murderers and despots” and undermining democracy.
“You possibly can attempt to intimidate us with us with trade wars, (but) we’ll never develop into your 51st state,” she said and called for Canadians to withstand the rise of the American far-right authoritarianism and to boycott American products.
Elsewhere, protesters demonstrated in front the of U.S. consulates in Quebec City in addition to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Protests were also held in Sherbrooke, Joliette, Victoriaville and Saguenay, Que.
American-born Jill Oviatt was considered one of the protesters braving the frigid temperature in Montreal. Wearing a Canada toque, she said she felt the necessity to take to the streets and get up for her adopted country.
“I would like to guard Canada, not only protect the US … from what’s clearly an influence grab in attempting to take over this glorious, beautiful country,” she said, holding up an indication that called Donald Trump and Elon Musk fascists and compared them to ticks.
“I’m here today because there’s an attack on women, there’s an attack on minorities, there’s an attack on individuals who aren’t billionaires,” Oviatt said.
Wearing a pussyhat, Caroline Plaat pointed to the sign she was holding to explain what message she desired to send: “Ta yeule Trump,” it read in French, which translates to “shut up, Trump.”
Plaat said she was motivated to return out and be amongst others who need to resist what the Trump administration represents.
“I’ve never felt more threatened. All our liberties are threatened without delay, especially for women but (also) for the LGBTQ community,” she said.
Since returning to office, Trump has signed a number of executive orders targeting the transgender community, including a ban on transgender athletes participating in girl’s and ladies’s sports.
“I actually need to feel I’m not alone,” said Plaat. “There are a number of people identical to me still believing in peace and love.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 8, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
