Organizers of a spoken-word event in Quebec City are refusing to cancel a reading of the Front de Liberation du Quebec manifesto, meant to mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Next weekend, entertainer Luck Mervil is set to stand on the Plains and read from the former terrorist organization's manifesto among 100 readers reciting 140 texts. It will take place over a 24-hour period, and each reader will present various texts as part of the Moulin a Paroles event.
"The Moulin a Paroles reflects our history, even if we don't agree with every word. We have to present what we think is history," said Brigitte Haentjens, a member of the committee that organized the event.
Mervil's decision to read the FLQ manifesto is causing a controversy because of the group's violent history.
The Quebec nationalist group was responsible for a series of bombings in the 1960s, including one that killed 65-year-old war veteran Wilfred O'Neil.
During the 1970 October Crisis, FLQ members kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross and Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte. Cross was eventually released; Laporte was murdered.
"It's just history. These are facts. We cannot just put them aside and decide that they did not exist. It's as if we talked about the history of the United States and not about slavery," said Mervil.
Political response
On Friday, the Charest government strongly denounced the Moulin a Paroles event.
Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity Sam Hamad -- the minister responsible for the Quebec City region -- lashed out at the organizers, saying they're encouraging hatred and terrorism.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume also said he won't be taking part in the event.
Commemoration controversy
This isn't the first time there's been controversy over how the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham should be commemorated.
In February, a highly anticipated re-enactment of the battle was cancelled after hard-line separatists threatened to disrupt the event with violence.
