Montreal/Tiohtià:ke (Quebec) August 8, 2025 – On International Friendship Day, Mères au front Cantons-de-l’Est and Vermont Indivisible groups invite the public to participate in a large cross-border gathering on Saturday, August 16, at 11 a.m., in Frelighsburg, Quebec, and Berkshire, Vermont. Adults and children will form a human chain along the US-Canada border to symbolize the urgency of defending fundamental rights threatened by Donald Trump’s oppressive policies.
The organizations are responding to the call issued by Friends Across Borders, a North American coalition determined to show that we are not enemies but friends. Some 20 rallies are being organized on August 16 at the US borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as in certain US cities
✦ Solidarity across borders
Among the fifty people expected on the US side is Miriam Hansen, a Canadian-American citizen and co-founder of Montpelier Strong Indivisible emphasizes:
"The friendship between the United States and Canada goes beyond mere geographical proximity. We are not just neighbours, we are family. In the face of rising totalitarianism, we must link arms and stand together to protect what is most precious to us: freedom and democracy. We are the resistance!"
Laure Waridel, eco-sociologist and co-founder of Mères au front, adds:
"Worse than a tariff war, the Trump administration has gone to war against democracy, human rights, and the environment. Many experts, including researchers at Yale University, are openly talking about a rise in fascism. In this context, it is essential that we join forces to protect our children."
✦ An artistic and unifying event
Under the artistic direction of Brigitte Poupart, participants are invited to dress in red—the color of love, but also of anger in the face of injustice.
Several prominent figures will give short speeches :
• Miriam Hansen (Montpelier Strong Indivisible)
• Bruce Johnston (lawyer and historian)
• Lesly Velázquez (actress)
• Melissa Mollen-Dupuis (host and author)
• Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette (author and director, co-founder of Mères au front)
• Laure Waridel (ecososiologist PhD and co-founder of Mères au front)
Catherine Major will perform L’hymne à la beauté du monde accompanied by children, while 80 pollinating migratory butterflies will take flight, symbolizing hope in action.
The event will conclude with the formation of a human chain along the border. After five minutes of silence, the crowd on both sides will sing John Lennon's Imagine.
Sylvie Beauregard, co-organizer and coordinator of Mères au front Cantons-de-l'Est, concludes:
"We are proud to host this gathering to denounce the accelerated degradation of women's rights and the environment. Together, united and in solidarity with our American and Mexican partners, we can take action to change the course of history."
What: Together We Stand Rally
When: Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: 188 Route 237 South in Frelighsburg (J0J 1C0) (Quebec), Canada, and Berkshire (Vermont), United States please write to freshair460@gmail.com to reserve your place.
The event will take place outdoors, rain or shine. We therefore recommend that you bring appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes, a blanket to sit on, and something to eat and drink, as the event is being held far from shops
✦ Additional information for the media
→ Full details on the Mères au Front Facebook page here, as well as on the 50501 Vermont website
Interviews available with
• Laure Waridel, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Sylvie Beauregard (Mères au front)
• Miriam Hansen (Montpelier Strong Indivisible)
• John Fanestil (Friends Across Borders
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