Canada – The Jewish community of Outremont, Montreal, is expecting a large turnout at tonight’s city council meeting to protest what they claim is unfair treatment that is being leveled at the Jewish community by one city council member and her supporters. The meeting will be held tonight at 7 PM at Outremont’s City Hall.

Celine Forget, one of Outremont’s four city council members, is being accused as having a long history of creating problems for the Jewish community, and with the rapidly approaching Jewish holidays of Purim, Pesach and Lag B’omer, Outremont’s Jewish community has decided to speak up against what they deem is unfair treatment.

“Ms. Forget makes it her business to come to every Jewish event, scrutinize every Jewish holiday and find something to criticize,” said an unnamed community leader in an exclusive interview with VIN News. “We make up twenty percent of Outremont’s population yet they refuse to accommodate our basic religious needs. Newly enacted city council laws permit a Succah to be standing for exactly 15 days and not a day longer. When private chometz burning was outlawed, we organized a community wide event. That too has been outlawed. The busses we use to transport collectors on Purim have been banned. Last year, the city council decided three hours before Pesach that no accommodations would be made for cars to be parked on the streets during the holiday and they went out of their way to make sure that every Jewish car received three tickets: one for each of the first two days of Pesach and another for Shabbos. Plans for Lag B’Omer celebrations are also in jeopardy due to Ms. Forget and her supporters.”

VIN News attempted to reach Ms. Forget for comments regarding these allegations, but she was unavailable for comments.

Outremont’s Jewish community insists that they are only looking for the same religious freedom that is enjoyed by Jews not only in other areas in Montreal but all over the world.

“We are a quiet, respectful community,” said the unnamed community member. “We have basic rights and needs and will no longer tolerate being pushed around.”

In a show of solidarity, Outremont community leaders are asking Jews worldwide to email Mayor Marie Cinq-Mars ([email protected]), and city council members Mr. Louis Moffatt ( [email protected]) and Ana Nunes ([email protected]) to request that the city council accommodate the religious needs of Outremont’s Jewish community.

The following sample text may be used:

My name is …. We kindly ask you to please help the Jewish community of Outremont and modify the by-laws for Purim and to please approve a proper plan for the burning of the bread for the upcoming Passover holiday. Thank you.