Leaders from civil society in Montreal announce press conference on December 12 to call for solidarity

MONTREAL, Dec. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Recognizing the profound effect the events in the Middle East have had on our community, leaders from Montreal's civil society have released a joint Message of Solidarity, emphasizing shared values of respect, social harmony and freedom of expression, while rejecting hatred or self-expression that involves threats, intimidation or support of violence. The joint statement, initiated by Amal Elsana Alhjooj and Brian Bronfman, has been signed by a large and diverse group of representatives from civil society organizations, community leaders, and prominent members of the Montreal community, including: Robert Charlebois, Fabienne Colas, Kevin Deer, Thupten Jinpa, Phyllis Lambert, Farida Mohamed, Andrew Molson, and Fabrice Vil. 

A press conference will be held at 5:30 PM on Tuesday December 12, to present the Message of Solidarity to the media and invite all Montrealers to read the statement, share it within their networks, and join in this movement to affirm that will not give in to hate, will stand together despite our differences, and will not perpetrate or accept any form of violence.

The press conference will feature several signatories of the statement who will speak about the importance of maintaining a peaceful and respectful dialogue within our communities. The event will also include a Q&A session.

Key points of the conference: 

Date and Time: Tuesday, December 12 at 5:30pm
Location: 1095 St Alexandre St, Montreal, H2Z 1P8

Speakers:

• Dr. Amal Elsana Alhjooj, PLEDJ, Founder and Executive Director
• Brian Bronfman, O.Q., Peace Network for Social Harmony, President
• Kevin Deer, Indigenous knowledge-keeper/elder
• Rafaël Provost, ENSEMBLE for the Respect of Diversity, Executive Director
• Dorothy Rhau, Audace au Féminin, President and Executive Director
• Fo Niemi, Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations CRARR, Executive Director
• Alain Joseph, Coconut Podcast, Executive Director
• Joan Lee, West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA), President          
• Jean Panet-Raymond, School of Social Work, Université de Montréal, Professor Emeritus
• Farida Mohamed, Canadian Council of Muslim Women Montreal, Co-President
• Alice Herscovitch

SOURCE Réseau pour la paix

Amal Elsana Alhjooj, 514 506-2046, [email protected]; Brian Bronfman, [email protected]