Protesters stage ‘die-in’ against pesticides in Montreal – Montreal

Protesters demonstrate against pesticides with a “die-in” in Montreal.

The participants, many dressed in Halloween costumes, sought to convey the message that “pesticides kill” with an event in front of Health Canada offices downtown on Saturday.

Participants lay on the ground in front of the Guy-Favreau compound while others wearing white t-shirts moved through the crowd pretending to spray pesticide.

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Children were invited to trace the chalk outlines of pretend victims, while organizers placed cardboard coffins and tombstones in front of the building, each bearing the names of various illnesses.

Thibault Rehn, executive director of Vigilance OGM, which helped organize the protest, said they called for a “historic rollback” by the federal government, specifically legislation passed in June that allowed the cabinet to overrule Health Canada and allow the use of banned pesticides.

Similar protests in the province on Saturday are planned in Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Terrebonne, Blainville and Val-David as well as Ottawa.