Pro-charter of Quebec values rally hits Montreal streets

A rally in support of the charter of Quebec values brought several hundred people out on the streets of downtown Montreal.

The march began at Place milie Gamelin and movedthrough the streetstowards Place du Canada.

The charter supporters chanted and carried placards with slogans that included:"Female beauty should not be hidden," and'My pork is halal."

TheParti Qubcoissaid it is not associated with the rally and wantedto distance itself from "extremists" who may be participating.

Landry speaks at pro-charter meeting

About 100 peoplegathered for a pro-chartermeeting organized by the sovereignist group Gnration Nationalein Montrealyesterday, to hear speakers including former PQ premier,Bernard Landry.

Landry saidthe debate over the charter is a polarizing, but he likes its principlesandsees room for movement on the debateover public workers wearingovertreligious symbols.

Those are maybe the easiest to make adjustments to. The principles, no.Equality of women? There's no discussion. But such symbols, it depends on the circumstances," said Landry.

"Someone in authority is one thing, someone who isnt is another.Someone in a police uniform has a different kind of authority than someone who works in a daycare.

Conference organizerssaidthey want to spread their message of support for the charter.

Someone in a police uniform has a different kind of authority than someone who works in a daycare.- Bernard Landry, formerPQpremier

They saidthatuntil now, there hasbeen a lot of extreme language on both sides and they'rehoping for a more nuanced debate.

MiladSaliba, who immigrated to Quebec from Lebanon as a child,was one of the people who attended.

He supports the principle of the law, and saidpeople who oppose it don't understand that restricting religious symbols has nothing to do with racism.

I don't think any Muslim or Arab will have problems being Muslim or Arab. That's not a problem in Quebec. The problem would be, maybe, is what the sign represents," saidSaliba.

"Does it represent the submission of women, does it representpatriarchalsociety or not? That's really the real thing. I don't think English Canada understands that.

Though most in the audience showed support for the charter, AlbertoTiburicosaidhe came because he's not sure where he stands on the issue.

I wouldn't want to demonize either side. I just want to see what the arguments are so I can get a better opinion of the issue," said Turbicio.

Turbiciosays he'll also attend anti-charter events, before making up his mind.

About 200 people showed up at an anti-charter rally in Quebec City yesterday.

A pro-charter rally is planned for this afternoon in Montreal.