History is full of examples of movements that stood up to militarism and imperialism. As early as the 1960s, demonstrations against the Vietnam War mobilized millions of people around the world, denouncing American interference and imperialist massacres. More recently, in 2003, massive demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq brought together people from all walks of life, united against the destructive logic of war and the arms race.
These mobilizations demonstrated that popular resistance can highlight the excesses of governments and their military obsessions. Even today, demonstrations against NATO, arms sales, and the occupation of territories remind us that the power of the street can effectively oppose imperialist policies. Drawing inspiration from these past struggles, it is clear that protest remains a powerful tool for demanding a world where peace and justice take precedence over violence and domination.
In February 2003, 150,000 people took to the streets of Montreal to say no to the war against Iraq. Since then, anti-militarist mobilization has unfortunately waned. However, in 2022, there was a resurgence when a NATO summit was held in Madrid, Spain. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The genocide of the Palestinian people has provoked sustained mobilizations combined with a wide variety of tactics. In Melbourne, Australia, on September 11, some 25,000 people demonstrated violently against an arms trade fair. The disgraceful vulgarity of this event, occurring at a time when tensions and conflicts are escalating worldwide and we are witnessing genocide live on air, angered Australians to such an extent that the authorities were caught by surprise. Demonstrators greeted exhibitors by spraying them with red liquid symbolizing the blood their lucrative trade spills everywhere. With fair featuring slogans like “Take your lethality to the next level,” there is ample reason to provoke a healthy anger against this trade of war.
The arrival of NATO's annual meeting in Montreal presents yet another opportunity to express our disgust and anger at this alliance, which only amplifies ongoing conflicts while enriching unscrupulous profiteers. Yes, we can demonstrate! Yes, we can still change the course of history!