According to Montreal police, at least three individuals were arrested following a pro-Palestinian protest that led to car burnings and smashed windows during the first night of a NATO meeting in the city.
The arrests took place on Nov. 22 after a demonstration that started in the afternoon and resulted in two car fires and damage to windows at several businesses, as reported by the police.
The protest escalated with the deployment of smoke bombs, throwing of metal barriers into the streets, and smashing of windows at the convention center by the protesters.
Foreign Affairs Minister MĂ©lanie Joly, representing Montreal, expressed her disapproval of the protesters’ actions to reporters on Nov. 23.
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“While we support freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate, violence crosses the line,” stated Defence Minister Bill Blair, who characterized the vandalism as an anarchic act by a mob.
“The violence and hatred displayed in Montreal are unacceptable,” Blair emphasized.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also condemned the protest, describing the scene as chaotic and attributing it to the divisive agenda of Prime Minister Trudeau.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather of Mount Royal in Montreal criticized the protesters for engaging in lawless behavior.
Various political leaders, including Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, expressed concerns over the riot, denouncing it as a display of complete lawlessness.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante echoed the sentiment, stating that such riots have no place in the peaceful city of Montreal.
“The events of last night are unacceptable and go against the values of our city. We do not tolerate chaos, violence, or harm to businesses,” Plante emphasized in a Nov. 23 post on X.
This report includes contributions from The Canadian Press.
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