Posted on 02/15/2009 11:41:02 AM PST by Loyalist
The leader of a tiny network of Quebec separatists is taking credit for the apparent scrapping of a re-enactment of the battle of the Plains of Abraham.
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 Réseau de résistance du Québécois, told The Gazette.
"I'm very proud of that." Bourgeois's single-handed Internet campaign and his threats to disrupt the celebrations appeared to have had the desired effect.
André Juneau, director of the National Battlefields Commission, which is organizing the celebrations, confirmed yesterday that there has been a change of plans.
But in an interview on LCN TV, Juneau would not confirm media reports that the re-enactment has been cancelled outright.
"I can't say that right now because (those media reports) are extrapolating certain details," Juneau said.
He did acknowledge the re-enactment will not take place as had been planned.
He added 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." In an interview with the Journal de Québec, Juneau said: "We'll quell this debate. We're telling people, 'Calm down, we've gotten the message and we'll give you the details on Tuesday.' " He told reporters in Quebec City he is surprised that the reaction took on the proportions that it did.
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 yesterday that his campaign ignited opposition to the re-enactment of the 1759 battle in which British forces defeated troops from France and New France, marking the beginning of the end of French colonialism in North America.
Bourgeois claimed the celebrations constitute "federalist propaganda." Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois supported le Réseau de résistance in its opposition to the re-enactment, calling it disrespectful.
Bourgeois had threatened to rally 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 activists 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."
This would be like cancelling a reenactment of the Alamo and San Jacinto because to appease a bunch of Mexican activists in Texas.
We won; they lost. Get over it. The Quebecois got better treatment under conquering Britain than they ever got from a largely indifferent France.
Why can’t we just have dueling reenactment? That would be fun to watch.
I believe in protest, but I don’t believe in intimidation so that a very small group can dictate to the general populace.
If this guy wants to toss out threats like this, then just incarcerate him during the event. And anyone who has a like mind can spend the holiday in jail with him.
When he says that visitors will never forget what takes place, then he’s crossing the line IMO.
Quebec City just waved goodbye to millions of dollars of tourst income. The re-enactments were a big hit, and pipe bands would come from all over to join in. The Frasers Regiment was instrumental in the defeat of the French in that battle.
The true military history, if you find it, is a magnificent read.(Much of it has been incorrectly revised by politically correct Canadian Historians)
http://www.uppercanadahistory.ca/wm/wm8.html
Again Canada succumbs to a minority of activists , when in fact the huge majority of Quebecois would simply rather make money.
Brigadier James Wolfe bump
We have a name for folks such as them..."Roadkill of history!"
> We won; they lost. Get over it. The Quebecois got better treatment under conquering Britain than they ever got from a largely indifferent France.
In addition to to your info to our American Freepers...Who won? Quebec. As an ex-British Columbian, I kept hearing everyday how “disrespected” those frenchies are.
Listen quebecers. Quit crying and truly separate so the rest of the provinces wouldn’t have to pay equalization payments to your bastard province. 1995 was NOT close enough.
Maybe he’s just tired of watching the French lose again, and again, and again.
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