The movement against the secular charter is mounting as towns and universities in Quebec join the growing number of organizations refusing to implement the proposed ban on religious wear.

At a meeting Monday night, the council of Hampstead — a suburb of Montreal — adopted a strongly worded resolution saying it will refuse to recognize the secular charter, if it's passed.

We will not comply with a racist and immoral law. - William Steinberg, mayor of Hampstead

Hampstead Mayor William Steinberg said the charter goes against fundamental human rights.

"We will not comply with a racist and immoral law," he said.

"In the event that the Quebec government passes this odious bill, which will force people to choose between their religious beliefs and their jobs, it will not be enforced in Hampstead."

Côte St-Luc residents rally against charter

As Hampstead council was adopting its new resolution, several hundred people held a rally at Côte St-Luc City Hall.

Côte St-Luc is a historically multicultural suburb on the Island of Montreal.

Mayor Anthony Housefather said the rally was a way to unite the town's Christian and Jewish communities, while also giving residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the charter.

The crowd, which included clergy and local politicians, gathered at city hall to light a Christmas tree and a menorah side by side.

Housefather said Quebecers should be allowed to practise their religions freely, and dress however they want.

"I wanted to do something because my residents are angry, they're upset. And so this rally gives them a chance to come out and tell the PQ government that we don't agree with your views on the charter," he said.

"We're all equal Canadians, all equal Quebecers, and certainly in CSL, all equal Côte St-Lucers."

Educational institutions slam charter

Several educational institutions have also joined the anti-charter movement.

Last week, Montreal's largest English-language school board said it would refuse to carry out the proposed ban on overt religious symbols.

Now a French-language institution, Sherbrooke University, has criticized the charter, which it says is unacceptable.

Sherbrooke University rector Luce Samoisette told French newspaper Le Devoir that the charter doesn't make sense.

Montreal's McGill University has also come out against banning the wearing of religious symbols.

Concordia University said it is still in the process of formulating its response.

Read the Town of Hampstead's full resolution: