Patriots’ Day march in Montreal calls for recognition of women in Quebec’s historic movement

Journée des Patriotes march in Montreal (photo: Swidda Rassy/CTV News)

The Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal held a march through the city Monday to mark Journée nationale des Patriotes.

The SSJB said in a news release that this year, the focus is on the women history left behind.

A few hundreds participants gathered at Laurier Park at the corner of Laurier Avenue and Christophe-Colomb at 1 p.m. before marching to Molson Park amid police presence.

Several dignitaries spoke, including Minister of the French Language Jean-François Roberge, Québec Solidaire parliamentary leader Ruba Ghazal, Parti Québécois MNA Catherine Gentilcore, and Rosemont–Petite-Patrie borough mayor François Limoges.

Quebec politician Louise Harel has been named Patriote of the Year and addressed the crowd.

SSJB president Marie-Anne Alepin said the day is a reminder that the Patriotes’ struggle remains relevant.

The Journée nationale des Patriotes, observed each year on the Victoria Day holiday in Quebec, commemorates the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837-38, when French-Canadian patriots took up arms against British colonial rule in a bid for democratic reform and the protection of their language and culture. The rebellion was ultimately defeated, but the Patriotes are remembered as symbols of Quebec’s identity.

“The Journée nationale des Patriotes is a special moment to remember the men and women who dared to stand up against injustice to defend their rights and freedom,” Alepin said in the news release. “Their hopes and spirit of resistance should be a source of pride and inspire us in protecting our culture and our declining language.”

Women’s contributions overlooked

This year’s march is also paying tribute to the forgotten women of the movement. Alepin said behind the well-known figures of that chapter of Quebec history stood courageous and committed women whose contributions have largely been overlooked.

She is calling for more streets in Montreal to be named in their honour, noting that aside from Rachel and Fleurimont street, no streets commemorate women such as Julie Bruneau, Marie-Reine Harnois, Henriette Cadieux or Marie-Victoire Félix and others.

“It is finally time to give women patriots the place they deserve in our national story,” Alepin said.