Demonstration against proposed values charter calls for ‘open Quebec’

MONTREAL – Hundreds marched through the streets of Montreal on Sunday to call for an “open Quebec” and, once again, denounce the Parti Quebecois government’s proposed charter of values.

The crowd may have been smaller than at a massive anti-charter held rally two weeks earlier, but it appeared to be more diverse.

The rally was organized by a group of young, multicultural Montrealers and brought together Muslims, Sikhs and Jews.

The earlier protest didn’t have the support of a major Jewish group because it took issue with the organizers and the march was held on a religious holiday.

This time, the rally drew several politicians and other prominent voices against the proposed charter, including some well-known sovereigntists.

The PQ’s plan would forbid public employees from wearing religious headwear such as kippas, hijabs and turbans.