On March 8, 2025, the streets of downtown Montreal were filled with passionate demonstrators who gathered outside the U.S. Consulate to mark International Women’s Day. The rally, named “Together for Our Daughters,” was one of many held across Quebec, drawing attention to the American government’s attacks on women’s rights and perceived threats to Canadian sovereignty. Protesters chanted “shame on you” as they lined several city blocks, their voices rising in unison against policies they believe undermine democracy and human rights.
The crowd was a sea of red, a color symbolizing both love and the bloodshed in the ongoing struggle for equality. Many participants carried signs adorned with the Canadian maple leaf, while others wore costumes reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale, a stark visual reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and women’s subjugation. Protesters held hands and formed a human chain, observing eight minutes of silence as a gesture of solidarity and mourning for lost rights. Some carried signs comparing the current U.S. administration to historical regimes known for their oppression, underscoring the gravity of their concerns.
Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, one of the event’s organizers, directly addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Trump ally Elon Musk in a powerful speech. “You are not kings. We are not handmaids,” she declared, rejecting any attempts to strip women of their autonomy. Sharing the stage, Laure Waridel from the activist group Mères au Front condemned the American government’s rollback of reproductive rights, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion. She accused the administration of betraying allies and aligning with oppressive regimes, further fueling fears of rising authoritarianism.
The protests weren’t limited to Montreal. Demonstrations took place in Quebec City, Ottawa, and several other cities including Sherbrooke, Joliette, Victoriaville, and Saguenay. These widespread rallies reflected a shared concern across the province for the preservation of women’s rights and the protection of Canadian values. Many participants called for resistance against what they see as the encroachment of far-right ideologies from the United States and urged Canadians to boycott American products in response.
Among the demonstrators was Jill Oviatt, an American-born Canadian resident who braved the cold to stand up for her adopted country. Wearing a Canada-themed hat and holding a sign that likened Trump and Musk to fascists, she voiced her fears about the growing threat to women, minorities, and anyone outside the billionaire class. Another protester, Caroline Plaat, wore a symbolic pink “pussyhat” and held a sign with a blunt message for Trump. “I’ve never felt more threatened,” she said, emphasizing the danger facing women’s rights and the LGBTQ community. Despite her fear, she found hope in the solidarity of the crowd. “I really want to feel I’m not alone,” she said. “There are a lot of people still believing in peace and love.”