Hillary Clinton was in fine form Monday night (despite a fractured foot) as she addressed over 3500 admirers at Palais des Congres. She was feisty at times and used self-deprecating humor at strategic points to deliver four lessons describing the 2016 campaign and election from her new book:

      1. It is vital to get back up after being knocked down.

Hillary believed that it was important that she serve as an example of this by not allowing herself to wallow in self-pity. One of the ways she has accomplished this has been to establish the “Onward Together” organization which supports grassroots efforts around the country.

       2. Get more women involved in politics.

Secretary Clinton expressed her concern about the double standard that still exists towards women in this area. She believes that women are liked and respected when serving others but not respected when advocating for themselves. The presence of more female voices would go a long way towards shattering this double standard.

      3. There is no such thing as an alternative fact.

Hillary is worried about the powerful interests that are working to make it harder to distinguish facts and falsehoods. She believes that we can not underestimate the Russian interference in our political system and stressed that this is a clear and present danger unless steps are taken to protect ourselves from this threat. She acknowledged that this is a new kind of cold war.

      4. Refuse to be silent.

Along the lines of “silence gives consent”, Secretary Clinton believes that the most effective way of striking down intimidation is by speaking up and speaking loudly.

Clinton remains optimistic and is encouraged by the positive, proactive energy that has come out of the disappointment over the election result. “People like us [that are] willing to stand up for timeless principles and values fill me with hope. We are on the right side of history."

"Y'ALL means ALL" was chanted down Boulevard René-Lévesque. It was a remarkable feeling to promote what we stand for and walk for - Civil Rights. We watched people read and react to our signs by smiling, cheering and giving us hugs. We also invited Americans we met along the way to join us - even mid-parade! Thanks to your mobilization and involvement, our chapter joined over 100 organizations and 7,000 people in this year's biggest Pride Parade yet to emphatically share that minority rights are human rights.

The feeling of PRIDE was also in our hearts in the wake of Charlottesville. A day of racist, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ protests where a terrorist slammed his car into a crowd of counter protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring almost 20 others. Democrats Abroad Montréal recognizes a new pride flag which includes black and brown colors to fuel this important and inclusive conversation. We must, and will, continually fight to make our country one in which atrocities such as this, and the beliefs that underpin them, cannot be imagined, much less put to action.

We stand together, and we stand strong.