JNN 23 Oct 2013 Montreal : Hundreds of people in the Canadian province of Quebec have taken to the streets to protest against a proposal to ban public workers from wearing religious symbols.

The march, organized by a group calling itself Together against the Xenophobic Charter, was held on Sunday in the province’s largest city of Montreal.

“I’m here against the charter because it’s depriving people of their right to human expression,” said protester Norman Simon.

The proposed Quebec Charter of Values by the governing Parti Quebecois party would forbid public workers from wearing religious headwear, including hijabs, kippas and turbans as well as larger-than-average sized crucifixes in the workplace.

The protest came just days after Quebec’s Human Rights Commission censured the planned Charter, saying the ruling party’s proposal is a clear violation of personal freedoms guaranteed under the province’s own charter of rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as under international law.

In addition, Quebec hospital association condemned the proposal earlier this month, saying that a ban on religious symbols risks driving away talent from the province and creating tensions where there is none.

Furthermore, the proposed ban has stirred opposition from citizens nationwide with a recent opinion poll showing that a vast majority of Canadians – about 72 percent – are against the idea of firing civil servants who wish to wear religious symbols and clothing at their workplace.

Opponents to the ban have said that the proposal is an attempt by the Parti Quebecois to distract the Quebec people from more pressing problems as the province has seen massive layoffs and a worsening economy.