Translating the printemps érable
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For more useful English-language sources on the conflict, see:
CUTV - broadcasting live from the protests nightly
Rouge Squad - Tactical Translation Team
Rabble.ca's Maple Spring Coverage
Original French Text: http://www.bloquonslahausse.com/2012/09/la-classe-reagit-a-lannulation-de-la-hausse-des-frais-de-scolarite/
Montreal, 20 September 2012:
Following the announcement of the cancelling of the tuition fee increase and the abrogation of the Law 12 (formerly Bill 78), the CLASSE (the Coalition large de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante / Broad Coalition of the Association for Student Union Solidarity) wishes to salute the courage and determination of all those who were active over the last few months. The organisation wishes, at the same time, to recall that this victory is not the end of the struggle, and that the student and popular mobilization must continue.
“If the Parti Québécois is passing today a series of measures which answer to our demands, it is because we have held to our principles, and have defended them with an approach that was combative, yet unifying,” said Camille Robert, co-spokesperson for the CLASSE. “In the future, our approach will win out over any regressive measure.” The CLASSE therefore notes that it remains opposed to any increase in tuition fees, including indexing to inflation. “Education is a public service, which must remain accessible; not a commodity, with a price that varies with the market,” said Jeanne Reynolds, co-spokesperson of the organisation.
August 27, 2012
Original French text: http://www.bloquonslahausse.com/2012/08/la-classe-denonce-la-repression-sur-le-campus-de-ludem/
This Monday, August 27, 2012, CLASSE denounces the rampant violence and police on the University of Montreal campus. Tens of thousands of students, notably at UQAM and UdeM (University of Montreal), refrained from going to their classes today in accordance with decisions made by their democratic assemblies. The application of these mandates was difficult at the University of Montreal, where the school administration applied Law 12, which restricts people’s freedoms of assembly, expression and association.
CLASSE takes this opportunity to remind people that the atmosphere on campuses was calm before the administration forced students back to class. Since the start of this conflict, the government has been pushing responsibility onto the police forces and university administrators. In the end, the students have withstood the blows, the fines and the cheap shots, while few elected officials have lent an ear to students to make their demands heard. “Thus, thousands of students have a good reason to want to continue this strike and repression has never been and will never be an acceptable solution,” says Jeanne Reynolds, co-spokesperson of CLASSE.
At a time when the student movement is reconsidering its protest strategies, the only two CEGEPs that recently voted by narrow margins to continue the unlimited general strike may revisit those decisions.
Daphnée Dion-Viens August 14, 2012
Original French text: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/education/201208/14/01-4565131-conflit-etudiant-les-associations-refusent-de-rendre-les-armes.php
“Yes, we would have liked to continue the strike,” says CLASSE co-spokesperson Jeanne Reynolds. ”But we can see that people want to continue to mobilize for the march on August 22nd and strike votes will be taken up again after the election.”
Student associations are refusing to admit defeat even though most cégep students have decided to return to classes. Far from being out of steam, student leaders are talking about a change of strategy in light of the September 4th election.
Julien Villeneuve, member of Profs contre la hausse, presented at CLASSE event at Cabaret Olympia
August 10 2012
Original French Text: https://www.facebook.com/Anarchopanda/posts/259944277450788
Dear students fighting alongside the CLASSE,
My name is Julien, I teach Philosophy and I am in favor of free education. I am part of the Profs contre la hausse [Teachers Against the Hike], which, despite the title, brings together many teachers who are also in favor of free education. I’ve been asked to tell you what exactly Profs contre la hausse is, and why we support you. Seeing that I only have a few minutes, I will try to do both at the same time.
If I had to explain to you what Profs contre la hausse is in one sentence in the most scientifically precise way possible, I would say, “Profs contre la hausse is like you guys, but less cool and with teachers.” I’ll explain myself.
Profs contre la hausse sprung from the teachers’ need to meet right away, all together, inter-syndically if not para-syndically if not almost extra-syndically (meaning the larger central unions, of course), in order to reflect (not too much) and to act (as much as possible) in support of your struggle. I know that I should say our struggle. I’ll come back to that later.
Josée Legault August 9, 2012
Original French Text: http://www2.lactualite.com/josee-legault/2012/08/09/exit-gabriel-nadeau-dubois/
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois is stepping down from his position as co-spokesperson of CLASSE.
In his resignation letter, GND (as he became known during the student strike) sets out his reasons.
“I am leaving with my head held high, with the conviction of having done my duty and of having participated in a historical popular movement,” he says.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, like the other leaders of FECQ and FEUQ, effectively gave a “human face” to the student conflict.
August 9, 2012
Original French Text: http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/societe/2012/08/08/001-greve-etudiante-votes-rentree-agitee.shtml
CEGEPs Saint-Jérôme and Valleyfield voted Wednesday on their return to classes. Students at St. Jerome voted in favor of a truce until the elections, while those at Valleyfield will return to class next Tuesday.
The student association from St. Jerome College chose to call a truce until September 4, the day of Quebec’s general election. However, those who voted Wednesday afternoon are only 250 students out of 3700. Despite the low turnout, the institution’s administration is not calling into question the vote, saying that it reflects the general will.
Kathleen Lévesque August 9, 2012
Original French Text: http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/356415/gabriel-nadeau-dubois-demissionne
The CLASSE ex-spokesperson says he was hurt by the “rhetoric” and “derogatory attacks” that he was subjected to.
Caption: Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois will no longer speak publicly as long as the student strike continues. Photo: Jacques Nadeau - Le Devoir
Bruised by the Charest government’s constant demonization of him, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois has resigned as co-spokesperson for the Coalition large de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (CLASSE), hoping his decision will help breathe new life into the organization.
In an interview with Le Devoir, Nadeau-Dubois didn’t hide his weariness with the Liberals’ “rhetoric” and “personal derogatory attacks” over the past six months, not to mention their insinuations that CLASSE is a gang of “terrorists.” He is particularly virulent when it comes to the Premier. “I’ll never forgive Jean Charest for the comments he made during the Plan Nord conference. While there were serious injuries and extremely harsh confrontations going on outside, the Quebec Premier’s only response was to make tasteless jokes about it with his business friends. That really sticks in my throat,” he said, qualifying Jean Charest’s attitude as “undignified.”
August 9, 2012
Original French Text: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1018771/demission-de-gabriel-nadeau-dubois-quebec-solidaire-rend-hommage-au-porte-parole-etudiant-et-pourfend-l-attitude-meprisante-du-parti-liberal
Following the decision of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois to resign, Québec Solidaire commends the student spokesperson for the work he did as a symbol of a generation who rose up against injustice. The Solidaires denounce the arrogant and violent attitude of the Liberal party towards the student movement, which is being used to further electoral goals.
Raphaël Dallaire Ferland August 8, 2012
Original French Text: http://www.ledevoir.com/societe/education/356346/ce-n-est-pas-des-elections-qui-vont-les-faire-plier
On Wednesday afternon, after a wild ride through the entertainment district, hundreds of demonstrators blocked the main entrance of Hydro-Québec’s headquarters in Montreal.
“This first demonstration announces the return to the strike!” chanted through a megaphone one of the protesters, perched at the foot of the statue of Edward VII on Phillips Square, where several hundred demonstrators had responded to the call for “national action disturbance”, launched by CLASSE.
