THE National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) on Thursday announced that they will appeal the Quebec Superior Court decision regarding Bill 21 to the Quebec Court of Appeal.

“It has been almost two years of second-class citizenship for Quebecers who wear religious symbols such as the hijab, kippah, or turban. We promised that we would not stop fighting until second-class citizenship ends for all Quebecers.” said Yusuf Faqiri, NCCM Director of Quebec Affairs.

Justice Marc-Andre Blanchard recognized that there are fundamental problems with Bill 21. The stories of how real people continue to be harmed by Bill 21 are clear in this decision. There are real life consequences to the harms that Bill 21 causes, the organizations said.

“The government wants to make us believe that the court’s decision divides Quebecers. In fact, the legislation known as Bill 21 is itself the source of division, discrimination, and harm to Quebec society. Quebecers deserve choice and freedom from government oppression – and that is why we will continue to fight Bill 21.” said Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, CCLA Equality Program Director.