Violence erupted in Montreal on Friday evening as protests denouncing NATO turned chaotic. Montreal police reported that at least three people were arrested after the demonstration took a violent turn, with protesters setting a mannequin on fire, throwing objects like smoke bombs and metal barriers, and lighting two vehicles on fire.
The protest, organized by the Divest for Palestine collective and anti-capitalist group CLAC, aimed to denounce NATO as the city hosts the 70th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The protesters believe that NATO, once a military alliance during the Cold War, now imposes warlike policies across the world, and they wanted to make their voices heard against what they see as destructive actions.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with other federal cabinet ministers, condemned the protesters' actions as "appalling." Trudeau called the acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence unacceptable and emphasized the need for consequences and accountability for the rioters.
The protest coincided with student-held pro-Palestinian strikes and protests across Quebec, adding to the already heightened tensions in the area. Montreal police reported that the protest began peacefully but escalated around 6:10 p.m. when protesters started engaging in violent behavior, including assaulting police officers and causing property damage.
Various politicians, including Quebec Premier François Legault and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, criticized the protest, with Legault deeming the violent and hateful scenes targeting the Jewish community as unacceptable. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also condemned the protest, linking it to what he perceives as chaos in the country under Trudeau's leadership.