Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Valerie Plante said the online attacks have intensified, and she is taking them seriously
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante spoke out Thursday about threats directed against her over her stance on the province’s secularism bill.
“I’m always open for debate, but I will not accept that,” Plante said. “This is not the kind of society we want. This is not what we want to encourage.”The threats, including some of physical violence, are in messages posted online or sent directly to her social media accounts. “Freedom of speech is important, but we need to realize we’re also talking to human beings,” Plante said.
Quebec’s Bill 21 would prohibit public servants in positions of authority – including teachers, police officers, Crown prosecutors and prison guards – from wearing religious symbols on the job. A grandfather clause would protect people already hired in those positions. On Wednesday, Toronto city council passed a resolution supporting Montreal and declaring its opposition to any legislation restricting freedom of religion.Legault also downplayed a recent article in the Chinese daily Global Times, praising the proposed legislation and comparing it to China’s own policy of repression of the Uighurs, a Muslim minority group often sent to re-education camps.The premier said Thursday he couldn’t stop the Chinese daily from applauding his government’s legislation.
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