100 days, 2000 arrests, diverging opinions

The Journal counts 2000 arrests since the beginning of the student revolt 100 days ago.

Québec Solidaire is toeing a fine line, not calling people to perform acts of civil disobedience but refusing to condemn them. The website Arrêtez-moi quelqu’un shows a growing collection of photos of people determined to defy Bill 78.

OpenFile examines rumours coming out of the protests and examines their veracity.

Pollster Jean-Marc Léger is speaking up for the students (while defending a smaller increase in tuition fees). He’s critical of the baby-boomers: “Les baby-boomers ont endetté le Québec. Ils obligent la génération suivante à payer.” Whereas the National Post’s Kelly McParland – Toronto’s answer to Ed Anger – snarls that Quebec is tempting Ontario’s lefties to do likewise.

Monday night, thousands marched on a fine evening, some making for Westmount and Charest’s house, while popular gestures of support grew at several intersections, people clashing pots and pans to make a fine old noise.

On Reddit, someone links to a 1955 edition of the Gazette showing a student revolt against transit fare hikes: “Mayor Drapeau issued a proclamation last night banning all demonstrations or processions ‘in the public interest.’ The mayor said it was ‘extremely regrettable’ that ‘subversive elements and fomenters of trouble’ had slid into the group of students…” Plus ça change, no?

Thousands are expected to march Tuesday afternoon to mark the 100th day of the protest.