A coalition of groups dedicated to protecting the French language is supporting the Quebec government in its bid to overturn a Quebec Appeal Court ruling that has declared the province's language law unconstitutional.

The court ruled Thursday that Bill 104, which was passed five years ago and prevents many children of francophone and immigrant families from attending English schools, violates the federal Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

More than two dozen families went to court to challenge the law in 2002. Their victory means children can attend English public schools if they have attended an English private school for at least a year, or have been granted a special exemption.

But the government is appealing Wednesday's ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The president of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society said Thursday Bill 104 is vital to protect enrolment in French schools in Quebec. Jean Dorion also said decisions by judges of the Quebec Court of Appeal do not represent the views of Quebecers.

"People see it as a Québécois institution. It is not. It is a federal institution. Judges are appointed by the federal government. So there is a big misunderstanding there," he said.

Dorion said he hopes the appeal launched by the provincial government succeeds.