More than 1,000 Tunisians braved the frigid Canadian winter to mark the historic event and to honor countrymen who died during the "Jasmine Revolution," which forced Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia on Friday in the face of protests against his 23-year rule.
Achour Ghrib, 40, sings his national anthem for sports events, but this was different.
"It`s the first time I sing it this way, the first time that I feel that I am Tunisian," said Ghrib, who moved to Canada just over a year ago.
Some chanted "you want 2014," referring to Ben Ali`s desire to remain in office, "they said the 14th," a reference to the date Friday when the leader fled the country.
Many parents brought their children, some in strollers. It was 20-month-old Myriam`s first such event, and dad`s too. Mohamed Najib, 37, came to celebrate "this second independence" -- the first was from France in 1956.
Nizar Bessi, a 19-year-old who came to Canada just a few months ago, carried a sign that said "America: Yes we can, Tunisia: Yes, we do," and then told an AFP journalist "Yes, we did!" He is studying cinematography and wants to return to Tunisia when he`s finished.
Other placards read "The people united will never be defeated," and "Fight for social justice in Tunisia." Some asked where they can find Ben Ali`s daughter, who bought, with her husband, a house in Montreal.
At the conclusion of the event, the celebrants observed a minute of silence at the Tunisian consulate.
In Quebec, about 200 people held a similar event. An estimated 17,000 Tunisians live in Canada. (*)
Reporter:
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
