Canada's Trudeau condemns violent protests as NATO meets in Montreal
By Nia Williams
Nov 23 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday condemned violence and antisemitism at anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian protests in downtown Montreal on Friday night, where NATO delegates have gathered for the alliance's annual assembly.
Around 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are meeting in Montreal from Nov. 22-25.
Local media reported that protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and lit smoke bombs.
Two separate protest groups merged into a march, and some protesters started throwing smoke bombs and metal objects at officers policing the demonstration, Montreal police said.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd and three people were arrested for assaulting officers and obstructing police work. Protesters set two cars on fire and smashed windows as the march was dispersed around 7 pm ET, police said.
Videos and pictures posted to social media showed masked rioters burning flares and battering storefront windows.
"What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them," Trudeau said in a post on social media website X.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza war started late last year.
Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people and displaced nearly all the enclave's population at least once, according to Gaza officials.
The war was launched in response to an attack by Hamas-led fighters who killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has said.
By Nia Williams
November 23, 2024
REUTERS
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on, on the day he makes an announcement at Aylesbury Public School in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, November 22, 2024.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on, on the day he makes an announcement at Aylesbury Public School in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, November 22, 2024.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio/ File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Nov 23 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday condemned violence and antisemitism at anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian protests in downtown Montreal on Friday night, where NATO delegates have gathered for the alliance's annual assembly.
Around 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are meeting in Montreal from Nov. 22-25.
Local media reported that protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and lit smoke bombs.
Two separate protest groups merged into a march, and some protesters started throwing smoke bombs and metal objects at officers policing the demonstration, Montreal police said.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd and three people were arrested for assaulting officers and obstructing police work. Protesters set two cars on fire and smashed windows as the march was dispersed around 7 pm ET, police said.
Videos and pictures posted to social media showed masked rioters burning flares and battering storefront windows.
"What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them," Trudeau said in a post on social media website X.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza war started late last year.
Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people and displaced nearly all the enclave's population at least once, according to Gaza officials.
The war was launched in response to an attack by Hamas-led fighters who killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has said.
Montreal Protests: Justin Trudeau Reacts to Violent Anti-NATO Demonstration
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned violent protests in Montreal Friday night as the city hosted delegates for the annual parliamentary assembly of NATO
"What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling," Trudeau wrote Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. "Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them." He added that the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) is in communication with local police, stating "there must be consequences and rioters held accountable."
Newsweek contacted Trudeau's office via email on Saturday for comment.
What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them.
The RCMP are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable.— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 23, 2024
The demonstration, organized by Divest for Palestine collective and independent labor union CLAC, coincided with Montreal's hosting of the 70th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Approximately 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are attending the four-day event, which runs from November 22-25.
According to Montreal police spokesperson Const. Manuel Couture, the protest began at Place Émilie-Gamelin around 4:30 p.m. before merging with another demonstration near Place des Arts. The demonstration escalated around 6:10 p.m. when protesters lit a mannequin on fire and began throwing objects including smoke bombs and metal barriers at police.
Three people were arrested - a 22-year-old woman for obstructing police work and assaulting an officer, and two men aged 22 and 28 for obstructing police work. All three were released pending court appearances according to local authorities.
Police deployed chemical irritants and other crowd control measures after protesters set two vehicles ablaze and vandalized multiple storefronts, including windows at the Palais des congrès. The demonstration was dispersed by 7 p.m.
Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, Defense Minister Bill Blair characterized the events not as lawful protest but as "anarchy," saying "This was engagement in violence and hatred on display in the city of Montreal." Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly added that "violence, hate and antisemitism... has no place on our streets."
Montreal police noted they had not received any reports of antisemitic acts or hate crimes related to the demonstration as of Saturday afternoon.
Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the events, writing on X that "The violent and hateful scenes we witnessed last night in the streets of Montreal, with attacks specifically targeting the Jewish community, are unacceptable," adding that "burning cars and smashing windows is not about sending a message, it's about causing chaos."
The protest coincided with the second day of student-held pro-Palestinian strikes across Quebec. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been occurring across Canada since the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
According to Gaza officials, Israel's military campaign has killed more than 44,000 people and displaced nearly all the enclave's population at least once. The conflict began following an October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people in Israel and led to the taking of more than 250 hostages.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the "shocking" actions, stating they have no place in a peaceful city like Montreal, and thanked police for making arrests.
Update 11/23/24, 11:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to reflect the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) as not associated with this demonstration.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned violent protests in Montreal Friday night as the city hosted delegates for the annual parliamentary assembly of NATO
NEWSWEEK
"What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling," Trudeau wrote Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. "Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them." He added that the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) is in communication with local police, stating "there must be consequences and rioters held accountable."
Newsweek contacted Trudeau's office via email on Saturday for comment.
What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them.
The RCMP are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable.— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 23, 2024
The demonstration, organized by Divest for Palestine collective and independent labor union CLAC, coincided with Montreal's hosting of the 70th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Approximately 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are attending the four-day event, which runs from November 22-25.
According to Montreal police spokesperson Const. Manuel Couture, the protest began at Place Émilie-Gamelin around 4:30 p.m. before merging with another demonstration near Place des Arts. The demonstration escalated around 6:10 p.m. when protesters lit a mannequin on fire and began throwing objects including smoke bombs and metal barriers at police.
Three people were arrested - a 22-year-old woman for obstructing police work and assaulting an officer, and two men aged 22 and 28 for obstructing police work. All three were released pending court appearances according to local authorities.
Police deployed chemical irritants and other crowd control measures after protesters set two vehicles ablaze and vandalized multiple storefronts, including windows at the Palais des congrès. The demonstration was dispersed by 7 p.m.
Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, Defense Minister Bill Blair characterized the events not as lawful protest but as "anarchy," saying "This was engagement in violence and hatred on display in the city of Montreal." Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly added that "violence, hate and antisemitism... has no place on our streets."
Montreal police noted they had not received any reports of antisemitic acts or hate crimes related to the demonstration as of Saturday afternoon.
Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the events, writing on X that "The violent and hateful scenes we witnessed last night in the streets of Montreal, with attacks specifically targeting the Jewish community, are unacceptable," adding that "burning cars and smashing windows is not about sending a message, it's about causing chaos."
The protest coincided with the second day of student-held pro-Palestinian strikes across Quebec. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been occurring across Canada since the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
According to Gaza officials, Israel's military campaign has killed more than 44,000 people and displaced nearly all the enclave's population at least once. The conflict began following an October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people in Israel and led to the taking of more than 250 hostages.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the "shocking" actions, stating they have no place in a peaceful city like Montreal, and thanked police for making arrests.
Update 11/23/24, 11:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to reflect the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) as not associated with this demonstration.
RIGHT WING RAT UNION ASS KISSERS TO THE BOSSES
Trudeau later wrote that the protesters must be 'held accountable'
By Andrea Margolis Fox News
Published November 23, 2024
VIDEO
Montreal demonstrators clash with police, set off smoke bombs in destructive protest
A group of anti-NATO, pro-Palestinian demonstrators wreaked havoc on the streets of Montreal on Friday night, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto. (Credit: Reuters)
Video of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid a destructive protest in Montreal drew outrage over the weekend.
Trudeau, who represents a district in Montreal, had attended the Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday night. A viral video posted on X shows the Canadian politician dancing and singing along to the song "You Don't Own Me" before Swift took the stage.
Toronto is roughly 280 miles west of the Canadian capital of Ottowa and 330 miles west of the Montreal district that Trudeau represents.
During the same night, anti-NATO demonstrators set off smoke bombs and marched through the streets of Montreal with Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, the rioters set cars on fire and clashed with police.
Protesters also threw small explosive devices and metal items at officers. At one point, the group burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The image of Trudeau dancing amid protests in his hometown sparked outrage online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to Nero, the infamous Roman emperor known for "fiddling while Rome burned."
Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.
Published November 23, 2024
VIDEO
Montreal demonstrators clash with police, set off smoke bombs in destructive protest
A group of anti-NATO, pro-Palestinian demonstrators wreaked havoc on the streets of Montreal on Friday night, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto. (Credit: Reuters)
Video of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid a destructive protest in Montreal drew outrage over the weekend.
Trudeau, who represents a district in Montreal, had attended the Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday night. A viral video posted on X shows the Canadian politician dancing and singing along to the song "You Don't Own Me" before Swift took the stage.
Toronto is roughly 280 miles west of the Canadian capital of Ottowa and 330 miles west of the Montreal district that Trudeau represents.
During the same night, anti-NATO demonstrators set off smoke bombs and marched through the streets of Montreal with Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, the rioters set cars on fire and clashed with police.
Protesters also threw small explosive devices and metal items at officers. At one point, the group burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The image of Trudeau dancing amid protests in his hometown sparked outrage online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to Nero, the infamous Roman emperor known for "fiddling while Rome burned."
Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.
Video of Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid a destructive protest in his city sparked criticism over the weekend. (Getty Images / Reuters)
"Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances," Stewart wrote. "This is the Canada built by the Liberal government."
"Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved," the MP added.
On Saturday, Trudeau denounced the protests and called them "appalling."
Protesters set off smoke bombs at the Montreal anti-NATO demonstration. (Reuters)
"What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling," the Canadian leader said. "Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them."
"The RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable."
Demonstrators reportedly hurled metal objects at police and set vehicles on fire. (Reuters)
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