On Sunday, July 20, dozens of Quebecers assembled outside the Notre-Dame Basilica — a location previously used by the pro-Hamas group 'Montreal4Palestine' to stage protests and hold Islamic prayers.

The demonstration was organized by Mandana Javan, an Iranian-born Quebecer who advocates for secularism and women’s rights in Quebec.

“I was born in Iran. I was indoctrinated by this ideology. I know very well the political and colonial meaning of collective public prayers,” Mandana said. “In fact, it is one of the pillars of soft conquest.”

Javan explained that after witnessing the violent arrest of independent journalist Natasha Graham by Montreal police — simply for filming an anti-Israel protest — she and those around her felt compelled to act.

This protest is one of the first public demonstrations in Canada directly opposing what many see as the growing Islamisation of Montreal and the country more broadly.

Montreal Anti-Public Prayers Protest

People from all walks of life and backgrounds have gathered in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica to protest against the public Islamic prayers taking place in Montreal. pic.twitter.com/3jDh84OnHO

— Alexandra Lavoie (@ThevoiceAlexa) July 20, 2025

Among the speakers was Reza Azarpoor, another Iranian-born Quebecer and outspoken critic of radical Islam. “I lived under this ideology. I experienced it in my motherland under sharia law. I know how they manipulate, how they begin the oppression, and how they eventually start killing without hesitation,” he told Rebel News, sharing personal memories of life under Islamic oppression in Iran.

ISLAMISTS VS CANADA@Rezazarpoor comments on the pro-Hamas prayers on our streets.

It’s the Islamization of Montreal! pic.twitter.com/HV75jKL7es

— Alexandra Lavoie (@ThevoiceAlexa) July 21, 2025

Many Quebecers in attendance voiced frustration over what they view as a lack of respect — namely, the holding of Islamic prayers directly in front of a Christian place of worship, the Notre-Dame Basilica, and on a Sunday, the Christian day of rest.

During the protest, Rebel News brought its billboard truck to highlight the ongoing double standards of the Montreal police in their treatment of independent journalists. Officers have repeatedly blocked journalists from reporting on public prayers and, in some cases, even threatened them with arrest.

Natasha Graham is currently facing two criminal charges for merely documenting and filming what many have described as hate marches that have occurred every weekend in Montreal since October 7, 2023.

BREAKING: Montreal police arrest independent journalist @NatashaMontreal while she reported on the pro-Hamas protest here in the old city.

The mob cheered as the SPVM works on their behalf. This was after her and I were assaulted openly by the unruly crowd.

More details to… pic.twitter.com/HcuDg7MKRT

— Alexandra Lavoie (@ThevoiceAlexa) April 13, 2025

That same Sunday, Montreal police once again demonstrated their bias by preventing the Rebel News truck from parking at the roadside — despite having allowed a pro-Hamas vehicle to do so just two weeks earlier. Officers even threatened me with arrest for obstruction, simply for recording the exchange between our truck driver and a police officer.

Only one agitator was spotted at the protest, taking photos of the crowd. This same individual was previously seen during the pro-Hamas encampment at UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) in May 2023, photographing the Rebel News Quebec team moments before we were assaulted by Antifa thugs.

Please help us protect Alexa and Guillaume from violent Antifa thugs so they can continue reporting fearlessly!

URGENT: Help Protect Alexa and Guillaume from Antifa intimidation!

After our investigation identified the alleged church smoke-bomber and exposed his shocking links to Antifa inside Canada’s defence establishment, our reporter Alexa Lavoie has faced escalating harassment while doing her job in the field.

Alexa's cameraman, Guillaume Roy, has also been targeted.

We refuse to be bullied into silence — but we do need your help to keep Alexa and Guillaume safe.

Your donation will fund urgently needed security measures for Alexa and Guillaume (including professional risk assessment, monitored alarms, security cameras, reinforced entry points, lighting, car dashcams, and protective equipment) as well as additional private security guards to accompany Alexa and Guillaume on high-risk assignments.

Every contribution — whether $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can — goes directly to safeguarding our journalists so they can continue reporting.

If the government won’t protect reporters from extremist intimidation, we will — with your support.

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