The satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was in the spotlight at a downtown club Monday night, along with Quebec performers and activists.
The show was organized to honour the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris, and to defend freedom of expression and secularism.
Hundreds packed the Cabaret Lion d’Or, paying the $30 entrance fee as a donation to Charlie Hebdo.
One writer at the performance explained it was important to stand up. He believed that it was not those who defend peace and tolerance who should be fearful, but those who promote hate and violence who should be afraid.
The event’s organizer, journalist Djemila Benhabib, said the cultural evening also spoke to what Charlie Hebdo is about: a voice of humour and free expression.
This was a theme that dominated a Montreal press conference earlier Monday with surviving Charlie Hebdo journalist Zineb El-Rhazoui. She said her colleagues’ deaths cannot have been in vain.
“When we find ourselves in such an emergency situation we have to choose our camp,” said El-Rhazoui. “Are we for freedom or for something else?”
Many people at the gathering said secularism and freedom of expression go hand in hand.
Former premier Bernard Landry said the time is right for a Quebec secular charter and addedd that all the parties will have to compromise.
“The consensus will be done with concessions with one side to another,” said Landry, “but apparently we're on the right way.”
