Montreal’s Black Community Urges Mayor to Honor Key Figures

URGENT UPDATE: Leaders from Montreal’s Black community are pressing newly elected Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada to officially recognize the contributions of three pivotal Black figures in a move that could reshape the city’s heritage. This call to action was made during a press conference held earlier today at the headquarters of the Black Coalition of Quebec.

Community organizations gathered to advocate for the recognition of renowned musician Oscar Peterson, civil rights activists Dan Philip and Noel Alexander, and former nurse Gloria Baylis, who won a landmark legal battle against racial discrimination. “It’s an absolute level of respect, recognition, and inclusion most importantly,” stated David Foster, representing the St. Lucia Foundation of Canada.

The press conference comes just days after Martinez Ferrada officially took office on November 13, 2023. Her party, Ensemble Montreal, previously supported a motion to rename Place Des Festivals in honor of Peterson, who has a park named after him in downtown Montreal. Now, community members are advocating for the renaming of a block just west of Place Des Arts to Place Oscar Peterson.

“We want the Black community to realize we are not just second-class citizens; we work tirelessly to be equal members of this society,” emphasized Mark Henry, president of the Jamaica Association of Montreal.

While the city council previously passed a motion to honor Dan Philip, attendees expressed frustration over the slow progress. “With Dan Philip, there was a motion presented in May 2024. That’s getting to be 18 months ago already,” remarked Marvin Rotrand, founder of United Against Hate Canada.

In addition to honoring these influential figures, the organizations are calling for recognition of Gloria Baylis, highlighting the need for immediate action from the city.

As this situation develops, the community is watching closely to see if the new administration will take swift action to honor these significant contributions to Montreal’s history. The push for recognition is not just about honoring these individuals; it represents a larger movement for equality and acknowledgment within the urban landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates as this critical story unfolds.