The city of Montreal has denied a request from Montreal's St. Jean Baptiste Society to give the group access to the city hall balcony for a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's 'Vive le Québec Libre' speech.
Mayor Denis Coderre says he has denied the group access to the balcony, though a group spokesperson says they did not get a response.
The speech on July 24, 1967 by then-French president Charles de Gaulle became an iconic moment in Quebec's history, and the history of Quebec's separatist movement.
“Vive Montréal. Vive le Québec. Vive le Québec libre! Vive, vive, vive le Canada français, et vive la France,” de Gaulle told a crowd of about 20,000 people massed outside city hall that day, just as Expo 67 was in full swing just across the river.
Canada's prime minister at the time, Lester B. Pearson, said Canadians and Quebecers have no need to be set “free.” De Gaulle left Canada shortly after the speech.
The group says whatever happens, they will be gathering outside city hall to mark the anniversary.