400 000 protesters walking in Montreal Street

McCready00

I wish I was home with protesters..

Concordia university has been streaming the last 29 night of protestations.. this is the main channel to really know what is going on.. none of the medias are with the students.. is it really getting fucked up..

cutvmontreal.ca
they speak both english and french languages.. sometimes spanish.

mickeyrat

McCready00 wrote:

I wish I was home with protesters..

Concordia university has been streaming the last 29 night of protestations.. this is the main channel to really know what is going on.. none of the medias are with the students.. is it really getting fucked up..

www.cutvmontreal.ca
they speak both english and french languages.. sometimes spanish.

FitPearl

yep!

For those who wonder...

http://occupywallst.org/article/solidarity-quebec/

Byrnzie

And people are still so naive to think they live in an actual democracy:

http://occupywallst.org/article/solidarity-quebec/
Today, students and their allies in Quebec mark the 100th day of protest since the beginning of a student strike to defend accessible public education and oppose tuition increases. The strike has spread and become a general revolt against austerity and corrupt, illegitimate politicians. Throughout the massive demonstrations, which have reached sizes of around 300,000 people,
riot police have brutally attacked marchers using clubs, grenades, rubber bullets, and chemical weapons. Two protesters have lost eyes and one has nearly died. Police have also illegally arrested entire busloads of protesters on their way to or from demos.

Last week, the government of Quebec passed an emergency law (Loi 78) criminalizing the massive demonstrations and assemblies in an effort to stamp out the strike. The new law restricts demonstrations and orders the closing of some universities. Among other things, organizers must inform police of the route of any demonstration that includes 50 or more people 8 hours before the demonstration. Unions and student federations are threatened with fines of up to $125,000 if someone is prevented from entering an educational institution.

Just after the law passed, thousands took to the streets in Montreal. Student and union leaders, activists, the Quebec Bar, and opposition politicians see the law as a direct attack on the right to demonstrate. Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay´s attempts to legislate the end of the student movement and attack on the democratic freedom to assemble must be resisted. The policies of austerity and repression are global; so is our indignation.

Today in New York City, we will demonstrate in solidarity with Quebec students and in defense of our right to protest. An increase in the powers of the police and the state anywhere is an attack on us everywhere.

Kel Varnsen

Honestly, living in Ottawa and hearing about these protests pretty much every night on the news (since there are regular protests across the river in Gatineau) I am starting to get tired of it. As someone who had to work a part time job, while in an engineering program to pay for my university (then two jobs sometimes while I was off in the summer) I don't really have a lot of sympathy for these students. Especially since Quebec has the lowest tuition rates in the country, and tuition rates in Canada are relatively cheap to begin with. On the local Ottawa news after one of the protests in Gatineau they actually interview a parent of one of the students who was arrested, and he actually said that if tuition is raised he doesn't know what he is going to do since he was retired and he is not sure how he is going to pay for his son's university. I was practically yelling at the TV "how about you tell your son to pay for his own damn university". I really think it would be awesome if the government just said classes are on, and if you don't show up, you fail.

Jason P

This isn't 'Nam ... there are rules.

qontheboard

Quebec students pay almost the least in tuition fees in all of Canada. Give up the iphone and pay your tuition. Would you take to the streets if your tuition for one semester was $375? :roll:

q

cincybearcat

qontheboard wrote:

Quebec students pay almost the least in tuition fees in all of Canada. Give up the iphone and pay your tuition. Would you take to the streets if your tuition for one semester was $375? :roll:

q

Is that a true number?

qontheboard

cincybearcat wrote:

qontheboard wrote:

Quebec students pay almost the least in tuition fees in all of Canada. Give up the iphone and pay your tuition. Would you take to the streets if your tuition for one semester was $375? :roll:

q

Is that a true number?

Yes and no. $375 is the low end of the spectrum. The average tuition cost in Quebec for one year is $2519. A recent analysis of attendance showed that the precentage of students participating in the protests from Univestities such as Mcgill and Concordia, was low compared to the percentage of students from Universities with tuition in the lower end of the spectrum.

I attended University in Quebec in the early 90's. My yearly tuition was about $1600, which was in the mid upper price range. So as you can see, tuition fees in Quebec have changed very little in 20 years.

Now if these protests were simply about the abusive police in Montreal, that would be a different story.

q

Kel Varnsen

qontheboard wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

qontheboard wrote:

Quebec students pay almost the least in tuition fees in all of Canada. Give up the iphone and pay your tuition. Would you take to the streets if your tuition for one semester was $375? :roll:

q

Is that a true number?

Yes and no. $375 is the low end of the spectrum. The average tuition cost in Quebec for one year is $2519. A recent analysis of attendance showed that the precentage of students participating in the protests from Univestities such as Mcgill and Concordia, was low compared to the percentage of students from Universities with tuition in the lower end of the spectrum.

I attended University in Quebec in the early 90's. My yearly tuition was about $1600, which was in the mid upper price range. So as you can see, tuition fees in Quebec have changed very little in 20 years.

Now if these protests were simply about the abusive police in Montreal, that would be a different story.

q

Minimum wage in Quebec is $9.90 an hour. So assuming you are a student living at home and you have your summers off. And assuming you would get all your income back from tax deductions, since you would get education tax credits, then based on that average tuition rate you would only have to work a maximum of about 255 hours to make enough money to cover tuition. If you are off for 4 months that is only 64 hours a month (or 16 hours a week). Unless you have the worst part time job ever, it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to generate that kind of cash.

cincybearcat

That seems extremely affordable.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

Kel Varnsen

cincybearcat wrote:

That seems extremely affordable.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

That's what I keep thinking. All I know is if I was a student in quebec I would be pissed that these protesters have basically fucked over my semester, and probably extended my graduation date.

cincybearcat

Kel Varnsen wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

That seems extremely affordable.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

That's what I keep thinking. All I know is if I was a student in quebec I would be pissed that these protesters have basically fucked over my semester, and probably extended my graduation date.

I'd sue them for the loss of potential earnings!

Drowned Out

I really don’t understand why so many people side with the government in protest situations. There is a constant tug of war between government/corp power, and the people….yet people always seem willing to choose profit over people. That is what this is all about, not just about tuition hikes. Austerity measures are implemented, while corporate pay and profits increase. The government is in bed with, and protecting mafia interests, causing public project costs (and profits) to skyrocket, while wages stagnate. We suffer cuts to services – EI, pensions, education, healthcare etc., while the government throws BILLIONS at unnecessary (and likely useless) fighter jets, unwanted penal system expansions, unpopular wars and ‘training programs’ for foreign forces, ridiculous concessions made to oil companies at the expense of the environment, etc etc,etc…..but lets support the government and throw the people fighting for us under the bus.

“Public funding currently accounts for an average of approximately 57% of university and college operating funding, down from 84% just two decades ago. During the same period tuition fees have grown from 14% of operating funding to over 34%.”

From my understanding, the $375 figure isn’t a semester’s tuition – it is how much the average tuition will increase. No, it’s not THAT much money, and yes, they have the cheapest tuition in the country, but…I applaud these students for taking a stand. If students in other provinces had done the same, they might be on a more level field with Quebec.




These students and their supporters are an example to us all – this is how democracy works. Without people doing what they’re doing, the government and big business would roll right over us.

Bill 78 fucking tramples the Charter. The public was told it was passed to prevent looting, stop rioters, and restore order. It accomplishes none of that – it’s sole focus is to quell dissent and outlaw even peaceful protests. Don’t even get me started on the police handling of this, and the media coverage. They pepper sprayed an entire patio full of innocent bystanders the other day - people sitting down for dinner…yet all we hear is how the protesters are harming businesses?? The restaurant owner was nearly in tears, asking ‘who do I call when my customers are abused by the police?’ :evil:

..............................
http://montreal.mediacoop.ca/story/ten- ... ment/10896
Ten Points Everyone Should Know About the Quebec Student Movement

7. The government supports organized crime and opposes organized students

StevieG

Kel Varnsen wrote:

Honestly, living in Ottawa and hearing about these protests pretty much every night on the news (since there are regular protests across the river in Gatineau) I am starting to get tired of it. As someone who had to work a part time job, while in an engineering program to pay for my university (then two jobs sometimes while I was off in the summer) I don't really have a lot of sympathy for these students. Especially since Quebec has the lowest tuition rates in the country, and tuition rates in Canada are relatively cheap to begin with. On the local Ottawa news after one of the protests in Gatineau they actually interview a parent of one of the students who was arrested, and he actually said that if tuition is raised he doesn't know what he is going to do since he was retired and he is not sure how he is going to pay for his son's university. I was practically yelling at the TV "how about you tell your son to pay for his own damn university". I really think it would be awesome if the government just said classes are on, and if you don't show up, you fail.

Exactly!!! My wife spent 7 years in University and graduated with a Masters Degree absolutely debt free.

Here's how she did it:

Getting good grades in high school thus resulting in scholarships, working part-time and saving her money to pay for her tuition, rent, groceries and other living expenses. Maintaining her high marks and receiving more scholarships and awards. Working in the summer and saving her money. NOT going out to the bar 4 days a week and partying her way through school. Not buying a car with her student loans or an iPad, iPhone, etc..

It's called being responsible and making the right decisions. Her tuition was a hell of a lot more than it is in Quebec by the way.

If it was up to me I would send out the riot cops and beat these fuckers senseless!!! Pretty pathetic that they are allowed to interfere with the students that want to finish school and get on with their lives.

SEND IN THE COPS WITH THEIR BATONS PLEASE!!!!

blueandwhite

I find it difficult to support these protesters when their activities are interfering with classes and costing the majority of Quebec students their semester. I'm all for freedom of expression, but when your activities are intended to disrupt the learning of your peers I can't say that I feel much sympathy for this particular cause. The real losers in this situation are those students who are trying to complete courses without the tortious interference of a smaller minority of protesters who are using them to gain political clout. If you're going to take this fight to government; direct your efforts at the legislature instead of preying on your peers and using their educational growth as leverage.

FitPearl

Drowned Out wrote:

I really don’t understand why so many people side with the government in protest situations. There is a constant tug of war between government/corp power, and the people….yet people always seem willing to choose profit over people. That is what this is all about, not just about tuition hikes. Austerity measures are implemented, while corporate pay and profits increase. The government is in bed with, and protecting mafia interests, causing public project costs (and profits) to skyrocket, while wages stagnate. We suffer cuts to services – EI, pensions, education, healthcare etc., while the government throws BILLIONS at unnecessary (and likely useless) fighter jets, unwanted penal system expansions, unpopular wars and ‘training programs’ for foreign forces, ridiculous concessions made to oil companies at the expense of the environment, etc etc,etc…..but lets support the government and throw the people fighting for us under the bus.

“Public funding currently accounts for an average of approximately 57% of university and college operating funding, down from 84% just two decades ago. During the same period tuition fees have grown from 14% of operating funding to over 34%.”

From my understanding, the $375 figure isn’t a semester’s tuition – it is how much the average tuition will increase. No, it’s not THAT much money, and yes, they have the cheapest tuition in the country, but…I applaud these students for taking a stand. If students in other provinces had done the same, they might be on a more level field with Quebec.




These students and their supporters are an example to us all – this is how democracy works. Without people doing what they’re doing, the government and big business would roll right over us.

Bill 78 fucking tramples the Charter. The public was told it was passed to prevent looting, stop rioters, and restore order. It accomplishes none of that – it’s sole focus is to quell dissent and outlaw even peaceful protests. Don’t even get me started on the police handling of this, and the media coverage. They pepper sprayed an entire patio full of innocent bystanders the other day - people sitting down for dinner…yet all we hear is how the protesters are harming businesses?? The restaurant owner was nearly in tears, asking ‘who do I call when my customers are abused by the police?’ :evil:

..............................
http://montreal.mediacoop.ca/story/ten- ... ment/10896
Ten Points Everyone Should Know About the Quebec Student Movement

7. The government supports organized crime and opposes organized students

thank youuuuuuuu THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

What poeple dont get, is that a lot of those protesters are not even in school anymore. They dont give a shit about those fees, because they wont have to pay it anymore.They are doing it exactly for those reasons above. Our taxes increased about 5% (I think) since this prime minister has been elected, but our national debt as doubled. WHAT HAPPENED THERE???!!!

What is sad about those who agree with the government? Its always meeeeeeee myself and I; oh no, my semester, oh no my time, oh no my work, oh no my diploma.

WTF? wake up and think about childrens (maybe yours??!!) in a few years.. Do it for them.

(i wish i'd be perfectly bilingual right now... not so easy for met to write in english. :( )

candleofthought26

Drowned Out wrote:

No, it’s not THAT much money, and yes, they have the cheapest tuition in the country, but…I applaud these students for taking a stand. If students in other provinces had done the same, they might be on a more level field with Quebec.

These students and their supporters are an example to us all – this is how democracy works. Without people doing what they’re doing, the government and big business would roll right over us.

Bill 78 fucking tramples the Charter. The public was told it was passed to prevent looting, stop rioters, and restore order. It accomplishes none of that – it’s sole focus is to quell dissent and outlaw even peaceful protests. Don’t even get me started on the police handling of this, and the media coverage. They pepper sprayed an entire patio full of innocent bystanders the other day - people sitting down for dinner…yet all we hear is how the protesters are harming businesses?? The restaurant owner was nearly in tears, asking ‘who do I call when my customers are abused by the police?’ :evil:

So incredibly well put. We need to remember that the reason these students have the lowest tuition rates, the reason that any of us enjoy any of the benefits and freedoms that we do today -- is because someone stood up and fought for them. We don't have these things because the government or corporate was kind enough to offer: someone took the difficult and uncomfortable route and fought for us. If you want to keep the rights we enjoy you need fight for them, or they will be snatched back. Participate, or sign away democracy by simple default.

Byrnzie

Drowned Out wrote:

I really don’t understand why so many people side with the government in protest situations. There is a constant tug of war between government/corp power, and the people….yet people always seem willing to choose profit over people. That is what this is all about, not just about tuition hikes. Austerity measures are implemented, while corporate pay and profits increase. The government is in bed with, and protecting mafia interests, causing public project costs (and profits) to skyrocket, while wages stagnate. We suffer cuts to services – EI, pensions, education, healthcare etc., while the government throws BILLIONS at unnecessary (and likely useless) fighter jets, unwanted penal system expansions, unpopular wars and ‘training programs’ for foreign forces, ridiculous concessions made to oil companies at the expense of the environment, etc etc,etc…..but lets support the government and throw the people fighting for us under the bus.

“Public funding currently accounts for an average of approximately 57% of university and college operating funding, down from 84% just two decades ago. During the same period tuition fees have grown from 14% of operating funding to over 34%.”

From my understanding, the $375 figure isn’t a semester’s tuition – it is how much the average tuition will increase. No, it’s not THAT much money, and yes, they have the cheapest tuition in the country, but…I applaud these students for taking a stand. If students in other provinces had done the same, they might be on a more level field with Quebec.




These students and their supporters are an example to us all – this is how democracy works. Without people doing what they’re doing, the government and big business would roll right over us.

Bill 78 fucking tramples the Charter. The public was told it was passed to prevent looting, stop rioters, and restore order. It accomplishes none of that – it’s sole focus is to quell dissent and outlaw even peaceful protests. Don’t even get me started on the police handling of this, and the media coverage. They pepper sprayed an entire patio full of innocent bystanders the other day - people sitting down for dinner…yet all we hear is how the protesters are harming businesses?? The restaurant owner was nearly in tears, asking ‘who do I call when my customers are abused by the police?’ :evil:

..............................
http://montreal.mediacoop.ca/story/ten- ... ment/10896
Ten Points Everyone Should Know About the Quebec Student Movement

7. The government supports organized crime and opposes organized students

Well said.

Byrnzie

blueandwhite wrote:

The real losers in this situation are those students who are trying to complete courses without the tortious interference of a smaller minority of protesters who are using them to gain political clout.

400,000 = a small minority?

I admit that maths was never my strong point, but...

Idris

Also check this out, (#6 From the link Drowned Out posted)

(its official)

Montreal bans masks at protests

MONTREAL - Montreal city council gave police more power on Friday as it voted to ban the wearing of masks during protests.

The law also forces people to give police an itinerary of their route before a march begins.The law, passed by a vote of 33 to 25 on Friday afternoon, comes into effect Saturday.

The mask debate was rekindled after the annual "anti-police brutality" protest in March, when more than 200 people were arrested.

Municipal politicians were given more ammunition to justify the law after months of students protests, in which many rioters have been wearing masks while throwing projectiles at police, smashing storefronts and causing other acts of vandalism.

"When your cause is just and your intentions are good, why hide your face or refuse to give your itinerary to police?" Tremblay asked rhetorically, during a news conference Friday.

"We live in a free and democratic society."Tremblay said the new law will allow police to better identify people allegedly acting criminally. The law will also allow police to arrest someone wearing a mask if it is deemed that they do not have a reasonable reason for wearing one.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/sneak-preview-federal-mask-ban-coming-city-near-083009458.html

http://m.en.canoe.ca/news/CNEWS/Canada/2012/05/18/19775816.html?cid=rssnewscanada

Mask ban proposal worries civil liberties experts

http://www.canada.com/news/Mask+proposal+worries+civil+liberties+experts/6629749/story.html