Fury as Quebec passes law to stifle student fee protests

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/19/quebec-passes-student-protest-law



Protests in Quebec against tuition fee increases have led the government to pass a law cracking down on demonstrations. Photograph: Ryan Remiorz/AP


Quebec's provincial government has passed an emergency law restricting demonstrations and shutting some universities as the government seeks to end three months of protests against tuition fee increases. Outraged students reacted by calling it an act of war.

Among the provisions of the law, which passed 68-48 on Friday, is a requirement that police be informed eight hours before a protest and told the route of any demonstration that includes 50 or more people.

Hours after the vote thousands of protesters marched in downtown Montreal to condemn the legislation, which students and supporters say limits their ability to demonstrate their disapproval of the fee hikes. "They pulled the plug instead of trying to develop something constructive through talks, " said participant Felix Siry, 22. "I think this will just make things worse."

Police officers in riot gear and others on horseback watched as the loud and energetic crowd made its way downtown, chanting: "No special law will break us!"

[Joe Shlabotnik]

1. These new laws will be in the trash after the first court case.

Lawyers everywhere agree that they are unconstitutional, poorly defined, unreasonably harsh and unenforceable. Charest totally fucked up by trying to paper over a deeper problem with some reactionary legislation. The laws will fail, and Charest will be collecting his golden pension next year.