Plains of Abraham re-enactment doubtful after separatist outcry
Source: Plains of Abraham re-enactment doubtful after separatist outcry
MONTREAL — The leader of a small network of Quebec separatists was claiming victory Saturday after it was announced that plans to re-enact the Battle of the Plains of Abraham have been “modified.”
The re-enactment had been slated as part of 250th anniversary celebrations of the pivotal battle in the French-British struggle for North America.
“Yes, it was because of us that they have cancelled it,” Patrick Bourgeois, leader of Le Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois said Saturday.
“I’m very proud of that.”
Bourgeois’s Internet campaign and his threats to disrupt the celebrations appeared to have had the desired effect.
Andre Juneau, director of the National Battlefields Commission, which is organizing the celebrations, confirmed Saturday there had been a change of plans.
He told reporters in Quebec City that he will announce on Tuesday a
“modified program that will take into consideration the entirety of all the recriminations that we have received, and that will take into consideration … certain threats.”
Juneau said he was surprised the reaction had been so vocal.
After all,
the battle has been re-enacted three times before, most recently in 2004, luring thousands of tourists to the provincial capital.
Bourgeois expressed delight Saturday that his campaign ignited opposition to the re-enactment of the 1759 battle in which British forces defeated French and Canadian troops, marking the beginning of the end to French colonialism in North America.
He claimed the celebrations constitute “federalist propaganda.”
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe and Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois supported le Reseau de Resistance in its opposition to the re-enactment, calling it disrespectful.
Bourgeois had threatened to bring out hundreds of demonstrators to disrupt the celebrations.
“We were not going to be violent,” he said. “But we planned to do whatever civil disobedience was necessary.”
In a written statement on his website, Bourgeois warned any tourist who visited Quebec City for the re-enactment that “they would not forget their visit for a very long time.”
Bourgeois said he didn’t know for sure how many militants are in his group.
“There are between 200 and 300 paying members,” he said, adding that many more have signed up since he began his campaign.
He described the re-enactment as part of a continuing political struggle between Canada and Quebec separatists and said it “showed disrespect for Quebecers and our ancestors.”
Montreal Gazette
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