The streets of downtown Montreal were flooded with protesters on Saturday as many gathered against Bill 96, the Quebec government’s proposed law to reform its Charter of the French language.

Organized by groups that represent the province’s English-speaking community, the protest sought to send a strong message to the majority government that the legislation as it stands is unacceptable.

“We’re telling Premier [François] Legault and his CAQ government [that] we’re Quebecers,” said Marlene Jennings, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network.

“We cherish and support French, we want to see it protected and promoted, but not on our backs, not on our fundamental rights.” 

Tabled a year ago, Bill 96 is in the