WATCH ABOVE: Community organizations and women’s groups gather in Montreal to celebrate International Women’s Day and denounce austerity measures. Global’s Billy Shields has more.
MONTREAL – Hundreds of Montrealers came out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a demonstration that snaked its way through the city’s downtown core from the corner of Guy and de Maisonneuve to McGill College Avenue.
“I think it’s shocking that after all these years that women are still considered a sub-class,” said Jasmin de la Calzada, one of the demonstration’s organizers.
Many at the march pointed out the pivotal role that women have played in some of the world’s conflict zones.
“Women are central to any social justice issue,” said Talia Joundi, a McGill University law student.
“We’re talking racism, sexism, colonialism. Women can relate to women wherever they are in the world.”
This year, issues like the plight of missing Aboriginal women were important topics discussed when the march paused.
Another top-of-mind issue this year was austerity measures taken by the current provincial Liberal government.
“In our system, there are 75 per cent of the workers who are women,” said Sylvie Theoret, a marcher who is part of the CSN union.
“When you attack the system, you attack women.”
There were several causes that came out during the march from a broad spectrum of movements.
Several types of Marxist ideologies were represented, along with political parties like Quebec Solidaire and other movements.
Given the wide gamut of movements that turned out, marchers emphasized the universal nature of women’s rights across the globe.
“It doesn’t matter what sex you are, what colour, it does not,” said Ornella Novarini, an organizer.
“We’re all human beings.”
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