Anti-austerity protesters march in downtown Montreal

MONTREAL – While Santa paraded through the streets of Montreal today, another type of march was also being organized.

Protesters gathered at Norman Bethune Park at 1 p.m. and hit the streets to voice their opposition to war, austerity, racism and Islamophobia.

Protest organizers Tadamon! and Comité d’action solidaire contre l’austerité (CASA) say we live in an unjust society made worse by our increased militaristic stance.

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In a statement, Tadamon! argues that while governments have made cuts in education, health, unemployment insurance and the arts, all in the name of austerity,  military spending has increased every year since 1998.

The protest was endorsed by dozens of community organizations, including Collectif Québécois contre l’islamophobie (CQCI).

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In a recent Facebook post, Adil Charkaoui the coordinator for the CQCI, made an online plea asking supporters to come out in great numbers.

“Bring your children,” he said.

He went  on to entreat people to send a clear message to persons he views as racist and Islamophobic.

Despite almost 600 confirmed attendees on the Facebook event page, the protest was sparsely attended.

Editor’s note:  A previous version of this story identified Adil Charkaoui as the director of the Assahaba Islamic Community Centre in Rosemont. Changes were made to reflect that he was acting on behalf of the CQCI where he his the coordinator.