An unprecedented language crisis unfolded in the heart of Saint-Léonard in 1968-1969. French-speaking parents demanded French-only schools, while members of the Italian community wanted to preserve bilingual schools. The conflict spread throughout the province of Quebec (in Canada), creating enormous tensions that degenerated into violence and culminated in a bloody riot. The Battle of Saint-Léonard tells the story of Raymond Lemieux and Mario Barone, two remarkable, forgotten men of modest origins, who fought back with strength and conviction, despite the heavy consequences on their family and professional lives. Their struggle changed the destiny of Quebec and led to the adoption of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101).
