On Thursday February 1, The Centre for Media Alternatives – Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) was officially launched. Over 200 people waited in line not only to find out about the project, but also to support it and demonstrate their solidarity. Unfortunately, over 100 people who did not come early enough, were turned away at the door because the event was filled to the rafters.

Noam Chomsky supports the CMAQ

On Thursday February 1, The Centre for Media Alternatives – Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) was officially launched. Over 200 people waited in line not only to find out about the project, but also to support it and demonstrate their solidarity. Unfortunately, over 100 people who did not come early enough, were turned away at the door because the event was filled to the rafters.

During the evening, participants watched an interview with internationally renown linguist and media scholar Noam Chomsky. Professor Chomsky underlined the importance of having a vibrant, active and connected alternative media. He equally took advantage of the situation to officially support the CMAQ. (You can hear a clip from the interview by clicking on the link)

Projects such as the CMAQ are successfully bringing together a myriad of different kinds of people, who, in one way or another, are all working toward the same goals: freedom of the press, freedom of ideas and most importantly, a more sustainable and equitable world for all. In line with these ideals, the CMAQ is rapidly growing into the platform where alternative media in Montreal, Quebec and Canada assemble. Some of the CMAQ’s partners are; The Link, Concordia’s student newspaper, Alternatives, an International Development organisation and catalyst behind the project, Multi-Monde productions, creators of the film Pressure Point: Inside the Montreal blockade, Normand Baillargeon author and activist, Ecosociete, a publishing house. Additionally, performance artists Norman Nawroski, Landriault, Bernard Grondin and Zuruba were all there.

The real story behind the CMAQ’s launching was the palatable energy that everyone in the room felt, contributed to and profited from. The party was an important step on the road to Quebec City, but it was just that, a step. The real work is only just beginning, and we are looking forward to having as many people as possible contribute to and use the CMAQ, so that together we can create, or recreate, the world we want.

The entire CMAQ team would like to thank everybody who came, or tried to come but could not get it, to the launching. We look forward to your continued support and are inviting you to participate. Send us an E-mail, and find out how!

Download a short version of the interview with Chomsky


Download the full interview with Chomsky

Here are some pictures from the CMAQ launching taken by Fabien Dumais.
Just click on the link.
Picture gallery Montreal's CMAQ launching