From Peace to Intolerance: A Look at Montreal's Changing Social Climate
In 1969, John Lennon performed "Give Peace A Chance" at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Today, the streets of Montreal are witnessing signs of intolerance from anti-Israel and antisemitic protesters following the Hamas attacks in 2023. Acts of vandalism and violence against Jewish institutions have been reported in Montreal, Toronto, and other areas. However, language-related intolerance seems to have diminished, except for occasional incidents like a young man demanding someone to speak French on Prince Arthur Street East.
The 1960s and 1970s were marked by violent incidents in Quebec, including bombings by the Front de Libération du Québec. Even Ringo Starr of the Beatles received death threats from Quebec radicals during their Montreal performance. Petula Clark, an international artist, faced criticism for speaking English during her 1969 performance at Place des Arts. The audience demanded she speak French, reflecting the sensitive political climate in Montreal and Quebec at the time.
Clark's decision to perform in both English and French led to a hostile reception from the audience, with demands for her to speak only in French. Despite the challenges, she continued her performance, seeking solace from John Lennon, who advised her to ignore the critics. Clark's experience did not deter her from returning to Montreal for future performances, where she sang in both languages without any issues.