Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the actions of demonstrators and defended police after a demonstration against the NATO parliament in the city on Friday night caused chaos.
Plante told a news conference Monday afternoon that Montreal police officers have taken part in nearly 500 protests since the war in Gaza began last fall.
“The footage from Friday was shocking. People breaking windows and setting cars on fire,” Plante said. “We must stress loud and clear that gestures and words like those seen over the weekend have no place in Montreal. Protesting is a fundamental right, but others… It is not a detriment to the community.”
Montreal police said at least three people were arrested after pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO demonstrators turned violent, throwing objects at police, setting two vehicles on fire and breaking windows. .
Police announced that a 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police operations and assaulting a police officer, and two men, ages 22 and 28, were also arrested on suspicion of obstructing police operations. All three were released and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Montreal police say anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the city’s downtown core after demonstrators threw objects at police, set two vehicles on fire and smashed windows. announced that at least three people had been arrested.
The protest was organized by the Palestinian Investment Group and anti-capitalist group CLAC to condemn the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as the city hosts the 70th NATO Annual Congress from November 22 to 25. The purpose is to
According to organizers, the purpose of the protest was to to oppose what he called NATO’s “collusion with the Israeli military in committing genocide in Gaza.” They also pointed to “war crimes in Lebanon, Syria” and other injustices in the region.
Canada and the United States are NATO members, but Israel is not.
Plante blamed the damage on people known to police, whom he called “professional vandals.” She accused them of using the protests to carry out acts of violence and said more arrests were expected as police examined further footage of the incident.
Prime Minister Trudeau: There is no place for hatred in protests
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also addressed the protests on Monday.
“In a democracy, we will always protect freedom of expression, the freedom to protest and the freedom to disagree with certain positions, but there will never be room for violence, hatred or intimidation,” Trudeau told reporters.
Prime Minister Trudeau called what happened “horrible” on Saturday’s X.
“Anti-Semitism, intimidation and acts of violence must be condemned wherever they are seen,” he wrote.
He said the RCMP was in contact with local police, adding: “There should be consequences and the rioters should be held accountable.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opened his address to the NATO parliament in Montreal, where violent anti-NATO protests broke out over the weekend, saying people have the right to demonstrate, but there must be no violence of any kind. “We expect those responsible to do that,” he said. They will be pursued and punished to the fullest extent of the law. ”
Montreal police said over the weekend that they had not received any reports of anti-Semitic acts or other hate crimes related to the demonstrations.
Asked Monday whether Friday’s protests were anti-Semitic, Plante said he did not think they were.
The mayor pointed out: Montreal Police Department (SPVM) is the only police force in the state with special training in crowd management, terrorist attacks, and cybersecurity.
“I’m very proud of our police force here in Montreal. I want to thank them. The work continues,” Plante said.
In an interview with Radio Canada morning radio show Tut an matin, Dugger said the chaos lasted only about five minutes.
“It’s as if we’ve played a perfect hockey season, but all we talk about is the goals scored,” Dugger said, referring to the hundreds of demonstrations Montreal police have monitored over the past year. ” he said.
