Photos, Audio, Articles: STATUS FOR ALL March in Montreal

MONTREAL -- Several hundred demonstrators marched along Jean-Talon Boulevard this past Saturday, May 5, 2007, as part of a pan-Canadian Day of Action for immigrant justice demanding: STATUS FOR ALL!

--> A PHOTO ESSAY from the May 5 Montreal demonstration and Parc Extension Community Festival (including Mayworks!, the Contingent Précaires, and a Mayday action by the Committee of the Unemployed) is linked HERE.

--> The "WHY WE ARE MARCHING" flyer text that was passed out in the thousands on May 5 is linked HERE.

The protest, organized by Solidarity Across Borders, marched east into Villeray and Rosemont, and west to the busy Jean-Talon market-area until finally crossing into the mostly immigrant Parc Extension neighborhood. Many demonstrators covered their faces in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the hundreds of thousands people who live without status in Canada. The day ended with a Community Festival in Athena Park in the heart of Parc X, with dancing, music, food and speakers.

Montreal's May 5 demonstration – under the theme "Immigrant rights are workers' rights" – was the culmination of several Mayday activities supported by the Solidarity Across Borders network, including the Mayworks Festival, and the "Contingent Précaires" on Mayday. As well, our demonstration was undertaken in solidarity with immigrant justice mobilizations in the United States. We particularly emphasized the immigrant worker traditions of Mayday, dating back to they Haymarket martyrs of 1886.

-> Aside from various speakers at the May 5 demo and community festival, Solidarity Across Borders recorded the following RECORDED STATEMENTS that were played at the demonstration:

* A message from Kader Belaouni, in sanctuary at the St-Gabriel's Church in Montreal since January 2006; Kader marched with Solidarity Across Borders from Montreal to Ottawa in 2005, and continues to defy a deportation order, and to demand permanent residency in Canada. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23048
More info about Kader is available at: http://www.soutienpourkader.net

* A message from Amir Hodhod, from Jersey City; Amir was an active member of Solidarity Across Borders who also organized and marched to Ottawa in June 2005 to demand a full and inclusive regularization program for all non-status migrants; in 2006, Amir was deported to the United States, where he continues his struggle for status. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23046
More info about Amir Hodhod is available at: http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/node/124

* And a message from Amir Kazemian, who was in sanctuary in a Vancouver-area church for almost three years, before winning status this past February. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23047

-> Several of the MAINSTREAM MEDIA articles about May 5 demonstrations are linked on the Solidarity Across Borders news blog:

Montreal Gazette: Protesters march for refugees, migrants; many demonstrators wear masks in show of solidarity with illegal, non-status immigrants

Canadian Press: Demonstrators demand status for migrants

CTV (Toronto): Protesters rally against the deportation of refugees

Radio-Canada: Marche de solidarité avec les clandestins

Presse Canadienne: Marche pour les libertés civiles à Montréal