Dan Philip, civil rights champion and builder of bridges, passes away – Montreal [Video]

The longtime former president of the Black Coalition of Quebec, Dan Philip, has died.

Philip led the coalition for nearly 40 years and retired in 2020 but remained on as the organization’s honorary president.

On the group’s website, Philip is described as a “passionate man of action” and someone who is ” characterized by his fight for the disadvantaged, to ensure that justice prevails everywhere at all times.”

Philip was well known for advocating for the rights of the Black community and often spoke out against racism and discrimination.

“He never abandoned the fight,” said current president Max Stanley Bazin. “He was always present.”

His work, according to Marvin Rotrand — former Montreal City Councillor and interim director for United against Hate Canada — led to the desegregation of Montreal’s taxi industry.

His efforts also convinced the Quebec government to toughen rules to prevent discrimination in housing.

Those rules put an end to what Rotrand said …