Intimidation Wins This Battle in Quebec
| 2/18/2009 | Posted by Patti under Canadian News |
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. This pivotal event ended France’s dominance in North America and set the stage for the strong English presence. The National Battlefield Commission had plans in place and preparations well underway for a re-enactment of the battle on the Plains of Abraham this coming summer.
Historical re-enactments are a wonderful way to bring history to life, not to mention a great tourism draw, something much needed in the current economy. Quebec city would take a step back in time in an effort to portray life as it was at the time of the historic battle.
It would have, except the Commission has beat a hasty retreat from moving forward with the plans in the face of thinly veiled threats of violence from a hardline separatist group, Le Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, if the event went ahead.
Had the group called for a boycott, and gained popular support for that boycott, I could see the Battlefield Commission deciding to cancel the event. Cancelling an event due to threats of violence? Where does that end? Have we forgotten the reign of terror in Quebec from the FLQ in the 60s and 70s?
In a free society, threats of violence by those opposed to an event should be met with increased determination to hold the event and to do so safely. We can launch massive security for other events, this one should have brought out the best in us, not a cowardly retreat.
What do you think? Should the event have gone on or is the cancellation justified?
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