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Many wore the Muslim hijab and a handful wore the Jewish kippah while dozens pushed strollers and a couple of marching bands played as close to 3,000 people took to the streets of downtown Montreal on Sunday afternoon to protest racism.

Although the event had been planned before the Oct. 1 election of François Legault and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and was intended as a general protest against systemic racism, speakers criticized the premier-designate and his party for what they said were racist policies.

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Speakers were especially critical of Legault’s decision, announced shortly after his election, to follow through on a campaign promise to ban the wearing of religious symbols by civil servants in positions of authority, including teachers, judges and police officers. If they refuse, they will have to transfer to other jobs or leave the civil services, CAQ MNA Geneviève Guilbault, a spokesperson for the transition to government, told reporters last week.