Trudeau and Leaders Condemn Violence at Anti-NATO Protest in Montreal
Violence and destruction overshadow peaceful dissent as Montreal hosts NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other political leaders have strongly condemned the violent actions during an anti-NATO protest in Montreal on Friday night. Organized by pro-Palestinian and anti-capitalist groups, the demonstration escalated into chaos with fires, vandalism, and clashes with police.
Protest Turns Violent
Montreal police reported that protesters smashed windows, lit two vehicles on fire, and hurled objects at law enforcement officers. Three individuals—two men aged 22 and 28, and a 22-year-old woman—were arrested for obstructing police work and assaulting officers. All were later released and will appear in court.
Police Chief Fady Dagher described the actions as intolerable and emphasized that the agitators acted independently of the protest’s main objectives. Dagher also assured the public that further arrests are expected as investigations continue.
Political Leaders Speak Out
Prime Minister Trudeau took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the violence, calling it “appalling” and urging accountability for those involved. He also highlighted the need to address incidents of antisemitism and intimidation. However, Montreal police stated they had not received reports of hate crimes directly linked to the demonstration.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair also condemned the protest. Blair described the events as “anarchy,” while Joly called it a display of “violence, hate, and antisemitism.”
Quebec Premier François Legault and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante joined in criticizing the destruction, with Legault specifically denouncing the targeting of the Jewish community and Plante condemning harm to local businesses. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre linked the unrest to broader issues, accusing Trudeau of fostering division.
Protest Organizers Push Back
The protest, led by groups such as Divest for Palestine and CLAC, aimed to criticize NATO’s involvement in global conflicts and its alleged support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and beyond. Spokesperson Benoît Allard refuted claims of antisemitism, stating the protests targeted state policies, not religious groups. He also accused police of excessive force, noting injuries sustained by demonstrators.
The demonstration coincided with pro-Palestinian student strikes across Quebec and the 70th NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Montreal, an event drawing international attention.
Escalation Timeline
The protest began peacefully at Place Émilie-Gamelin but turned chaotic as night fell. By 6:10 p.m., demonstrators ignited a mannequin and threw smoke bombs, fireworks, and metal barriers. Police responded with chemical irritants to disperse the crowd, but not before significant damage was inflicted on businesses and vehicles near Place des Arts and St-Urbain Street.
Broader Implications
As Montreal grapples with the aftermath, political leaders are calling for unity and accountability. The violent turn of events has reignited debates about the balance between freedom of expression and public safety, as well as the impact of international issues on domestic protests.
By condemning these actions and pushing for a peaceful resolution, leaders aim to prevent further incidents while ensuring that those responsible face consequences.
Source : The Canadian Press
