The Center for Immigrant Women calls for a ban on fireworks in Sherbrooke

The general director of the Center for Immigrant Women of Sherbrooke, Teresa Bassaletti, addressed Sherbrooke elected officials on Tuesday to demand a ban on fireworks in the area.

Ms. Bassaletti was accompanied by a delegation which supports her in her request. The objective is in particular to prevent immigrants who have experienced the war from making them relive painful memories, given that the sound of fires can echo those of war.

It’s very difficult for us to relive all the nightmares we had to live through in our countries.

These are women who have experienced very traumatic situations; they have seen families, parents, friends die, and when we go to Lake of Nations for the fireworks, it gives us post-traumatic stresssays Ms. Bassaletti.

A long-standing request

In recent years, the issue of fireworks has regularly aroused opposition among the population.

Citizen Louise Galarneau had notably requested regulatory changes in the past to reduce the pollution generated by these activities. She accompanied Ms. Bassaletti to Tuesday’s municipal council meeting.

The city donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to two-week summer festivals, she points out. These festivals must be safe for all citizens.

Ms. Bassaletti believes that public funds could be better invested: I believe that money should be invested in community organizations or to help the homeless.

We will consider it

The mayor of Sherbrooke, Évelyne Beaudin, responded to citizens that their request would be analyzed. We take note of it, we will certainly consider it and we will be able to see it according to the wishes of the members of the municipal council if we move forwardshe said.

She recalled that the Fête du Lac des Nations included a drone show in its programming last year.

The president of the municipal council, Raïs Kibonge, however mentioned that, according to him, the sound of fireworks is difficult to confuse with the sounds of a rocket. Even though I don’t like the sound of fireworks, I can distinguish them from the sound of shellsargued the one who grew up in a country at war.