Walks from 2002 to 2004

February 23rd, 2004

Around 60 people walked in the cold. It has been 2 years now that Ingrid and Clara were abducted.

January 23rd, 2004

It is cold, cold, so cold...

December 23rd, 2003

A couple of days before Christmas, our thoughts go to the hostages and their families.

November 23rd, 2003

A handful of decided supporters brave the cold and the public transportation strike to make the voice of the secuestrados heard.

October 23rd, 2003

More people showed up on this anniversary (We started exactly a year ago). Even the cold was not invited, it was here also.

September 23rd, 2003

12th walk. Our first year of monthly walks is now complete...

August 23rd, 2003

11th walk. It has been 18 months since Ingrid and Clara were kidnapped.

July 23rd, 2003

10th walk in solidarity with the Colombian hostages. All were highly disappointed with the news of the failed liberation of Ingrid but hope has not left us.

June 23rd, 2003

9th walk in solidarity with Ingrid, Clara and the hostages. We moved to St-Denis street where onlookers were more receptive. For those of us who walked this winter, the hot temperatures were appreciated in the eve of St-Jean-Baptiste day.

May 23rd, 2003

8th walk in solidarity with Ingrid, Clara and the hostages. The number of marchers went up: we were around fifty. The mobilization following the assassination of hostages this month probably explains it. For once, the weather was acceptable...

April 23rd, 2003

Our circle of walkers seems to have shrunk a bit but we were still there, walking in the rain, as determined as ever. Thanks to Jean for reading us his poem on "walking for Ingrid" that he composed on Feb 23.

March 23rd, 2003

Even though the war in Iraq takes all the medias and people's attention, we were there for a 6th time in downtown Montreal. As determined as everé In Quebec City a handful of people also walked. The hostages, Ingrid, Clara and all others deserve to be supported more than ever. Next walk next month!

February 23rd, 2003

Of course the preceeding snow storm which made roads difficult did not help this anniversary walk but nonetheless one hundred participants once again braved the elements. Medias responded to our call since TVA, TQS, CFCF and 2 radios were there. All three network TVs talked about the walk and showed images in their newscasts concluding on a positive note this quite mediatized week.

Once again thank you to our walkers for their determination. Of course we had an incredible source for inspiration in Melanie who visited us at the beginning of the week (see the deltails of Mélanie's visit ).

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In Quebec City, 20 walkers united in front of the National Assembly. COngratulations to them also!

January 23rd, 2003

We lost a few of our regulars because of the cold. But although the temperature was down to -13°F, our group of 50 walkers was decided.

Walking an hour under those circumstances was difficult, but nobody gave up before the end. Probably impressed, LCN and CFCF sent their cameramen and CFCF did a brief coverage of the walk in 2nd position of their late night newscast.

Our thanks to Luc Picard for being there. He said he would be back and we appreciate it particularly knowing his tight schedule also participating to the anti-war demonstrations in Montreal.

No pictures this month. The photographer was so cold he forgot he had to take pictures!

December 23rd, 2002

While we were expecting less participants being so close to Christmas, this walk was the most satisfactory to date. This is in large part due to the presence of M. Gilles Prégent, this helicopter pilot who was detained for 102 days by the FARCs this summer. In the afternoon, M. Prégent gave an interview to the Montreal Express show at the radio of Radio-Canada to invite people to the walk. TVA, TV5 and Radio-Canada also make an announcement for the walk. LCN sent a cameraman on site and interviewed M. Prégent after the walk in their studio live for the news bulletin at 10 p.m. (with subsequent broadcasts during the night). The total broadcast lasted more than 5 minutes. LCN announced a hundred participants.

Once again we could appreciate the great solidarity of the walkers and their warmth, although the conditions were not very favorable...

In front of the Christmas Tree at place Ville-Marie

Gilles Prégent (right) with a convinced walker, Mrs Depoix

Thanks to M. Gilles Prégent for his help and his kindness. Thank you all for your support to the hostages families in these times of despair.

November 23rd, 2002

Less people showed up this time but we had two great pleasures: first, the radio of Radio-Canada was there and covered the walk in their regional news bulletins the next day. Then singer Judy Richards once again demonstrated her dedication to fight for just causes by participating to the walk. Let's not forget that she gives her time all year long to le Chainon. Thank you Judi and thank you to all participants!

October 23rd, 2002

About a hundred people showed on place Jacques-Cartier for our first walk. Agianst the cod and the wind, we walk in circle to symbolize the detention of the kidnapped and the lack of results of all steps taken to release them.