The largest student strike in Québec and Canada's histories occurred during 2012, lasting from February 12th through September 7th. In what the media dubbed "the Maple Spring," students in Québec went on strike following the provincial government's increase of student tuition by 75%. The government responded by enacting Bill 12, also called Bill 78, which pressured students to end their demonstrations by enacting provisions that forced students to return to their coursework and limited their rights to protest. Students in the United States took inspiration from the actions of the Québec student strike, and brought similar critiques about the corporatization of higher education, untenable tuition and fees, rising student debt, and the need for free education. Strikers and their supporters, would affix a small red square (attached to this card with a safety pin) to show their solidarity for the movement. The card makes note that every Wednesday evening is a casseroles protest, and it requests that protestors bring pots and pans "to make some noise!" Cacerolazo, also called caserolada, is a form of protest popular around the world, though predominantly in South America, where protestors create a sonic disturbance by banging pots, pans, and utensils together. Noisemaking has a long tradition in protest, inclusive of the use of song, protest bands, and noise demos outside of carceral sites. The casserole invites wide participation as the noisemakers it requires are materials that are often easily found or borrowed.
Image Description
A small white card reads in black font, "Infinite Strike // NYC Solidarity With The Students Of Quebec. Every Wednesday: Casseroles! 8pm—Washington Square Park. The card then directs the reader to "Bring your pots and pans to make some noise!" The card includes Facebook and Twitter accounts and safety pins affixes a red square of fabric to the card.
Citation
Quebec Student Strike Solidarity small flyer and red square pin, 2012; PE.029 Printed Ephemera Collection on Subjects; box 25, folder "Occupy Wall Street (Robert Reiss Donation)"; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University