Violent protests shook Montreal on Friday as demonstrators set off smoke bombs and damaged property. Police made several arrests, with the authorities promising more would follow, while Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu was burnt in effigy. Protestors threw fireworks and other projectiles at police and brandished Palestinian flags as well as banners from the Canadian communist party, along with signs that read “Canada out of NATO” and “Solidarity with Palestine.”
Two groups of demonstrators—one opposing NATO and one opposing Israel—merged into a single march, which then vandalised various premises and set vehicles on fire. This took place while Montreal hosted the NATO Parliamentary Assembly with 300 delegates from NATO countries—and while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Taylor Swift concert, singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me” as it played on the ‘Eras Tour Clock Countdown Screen’ before Swift appeared on stage.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned both the protest and the prime minister on X, saying: “Justin Trudeau refuses to condemn the anti-semitic riots in Montreal. He has time to dance & do selfies. But he’s too busy to condemn a violent Hamas takeover of our streets.”
Belatedly, PM Trudeau did condemn the November 22nd violence and antisemitism stemming from protests, saying those responsible must be “held accountable.” Yet critics have rounded on his pop music antics, including dancing and showing off a friendship bracelet.
Toronto-based MP Don Stewart called out the PM on X:
Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.
The Prime Minister dances.
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.
Trudeau is not alone among politicians who’ve lost credibility thanks to their apparent Taylor Swift fandom. In September, UK PM Keir Starmer was called out over his huge appetite for gifts and corporate hospitality, including concert tickets to Swift’s Eras tour.
