As the bombs began dropping on Iraq last week, cries of dissent rang through the cold, wet streets of Montreal. Hundreds of students from Concordia, McGill, CÉGEP du Vieux Montreal and UQAM, and others, walked out of class on March 20 to protest the British and American coalition invasion of Iraq.
"I think this a war of aggression," explained Ahmad el-Salah, a political science and biology major at Concordia. Salah, who is half-Iraqi and half-Palestinian, has not been able to reach his family in Baghdad for days.
"Nobody supports Saddam, but nobody wants a war," added Salah. "Democracy starts from inside thecountry, and this is not a way to start democracy."
The demonstration began in front of the Hall Building at about 1p.m. and wound its way back and forth through the downtown core, collecting students from variouscampuses along the way. The schedule and route of the protest seemed largely improvised as demonstrators kept police on their toes, hurriedly closing off streets from traffic as the marchers approached.
"It's complete disregard for the public. Governments are going through with this war even though their people are obviously very much against it," said Carolyn Perez, a political science and geography major at Concordia.
Some of the marchers carried signs reading "Non à la guerre", "No Blood for Oil", and "Baby Bush the Butcher." One protester, setting his sights closer to home, held a sign reading "Dumont en Iraq."
"How is it that when Saddam Hussein doesn't listen to the United Nations it's a big deal, but when the United States doesn't listen to the United Nations, no one gives a shit," asked an emotional Nour al-Hammoud.
Hammoud, who is studying journalism and communications at Concordia, spent much of her childhood in Kuwait. Her mother and brother are still there. "Yes, I'm scared, but not just for my family, I'm scared for all the other people who are over there."
At UQAM, dozens of protesters roamed the corridors calling their fellow students out of the classroom with loud chants of "Dans la rue, avec nous."
Throughout the day, onlookers voiced their support for the students. As protesters plunged headlong into traffic on Ste. Catherine and Réné-Levesque, many drivers began honking their horns in support.
"We're not here to defend Saddam Hussein in any way, but we're saying the people have to take the power, and that's what they're doing here today, taking the power and saying no to war," said Concordia Student Union President Sabine Friesinger.
By early evening, the number of demonstrators had swelled as several protests converged near the American consulate, where they were met by members of Montreal Police's riot squad. Although a few protesters attempted to burn an American flag before moving on, the march remained peaceful and there were no clashes with police. More protests are planned in the days to come.
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