Is Canada going to see a repeat of September 28, 1885?
Do any of you know what happened in Montreal that evening?
For those interested, on that date over 2000 French Canadians armed with everything from stones to guns rioted and destroyed the Montreal Health office. The reason for the protest… the rioters were opposed to the just instituted mandatory small pox vaccination. Some did not believe small pox was a serious disease even though it had already killed 3000 Montrealers. Some thought the vaccinations were dangerous even though scientists said the vaccine was both safe and effective. Some were opposed on religious grounds. Some believed rumours that vaccinators were tying children to their beds to administer the vaccine. Mostly the French Canadians protestors distrusted the English government officials.
The damage was extensive in the city, 2 protestors were killed in the riots and the military had to be called in to restore peace.
And it turned out one of the leaders of the instigators of the riot and spreader of mis information had in fact already gotten his vaccination
Sound familiar to anyone? Is the present anti COVID van more a political protest - just as the 1885 riot was, just a reversal of roles?
Thankfully science and medicine prevailed and small pox was controlled in canada and eventually world wide. I wonder if we can learn from history or if history will repeat?
Do any of you know what happened in Montreal that evening?
For those interested, on that date over 2000 French Canadians armed with everything from stones to guns rioted and destroyed the Montreal Health office. The reason for the protest… the rioters were opposed to the just instituted mandatory small pox vaccination. Some did not believe small pox was a serious disease even though it had already killed 3000 Montrealers. Some thought the vaccinations were dangerous even though scientists said the vaccine was both safe and effective. Some were opposed on religious grounds. Some believed rumours that vaccinators were tying children to their beds to administer the vaccine. Mostly the French Canadians protestors distrusted the English government officials.
The damage was extensive in the city, 2 protestors were killed in the riots and the military had to be called in to restore peace.
And it turned out one of the leaders of the instigators of the riot and spreader of mis information had in fact already gotten his vaccination
Sound familiar to anyone? Is the present anti COVID van more a political protest - just as the 1885 riot was, just a reversal of roles?
Thankfully science and medicine prevailed and small pox was controlled in canada and eventually world wide. I wonder if we can learn from history or if history will repeat?
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