Trudeau slammed as cringe-worthy videos show him ‘shaking it off’ at Taylor Swift while Montreal burned
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was spotted at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday evening, as Montreal descended into chaos with anti-Israel protests sweeping the streets.
Trudeau was criticized for his complete lack of awareness of the riots after he was spotted at one of the last Eras performances as anarchy gripped Montreal.
Protesters in the center set fire to cars, smashed store windows and burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the city’s streets descended into violence.
Riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, and videos of the destruction flooded social media, sparking outrage.
But as the unrest unfolded, Trudeau was seen carefree enjoying tunes with fellow Swifties.
The stark contrast to his apparent indifference to the unrest angered Quebec Senator Leo Housakos, who took to social media to express his disdain.
“Tonight, while Justin Trudeau was celebrating in Toronto, I met with several members of Montreal’s Jewish community. Meanwhile, this is our hometown tonight,” Housakos said as he posted a video of the riots.
‘The pro-Hamas crowd is emboldened by Mr. Trudeau’s promise to arrest the Israeli prime minister. I hope you had fun at the concert, Justin,” he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday evening
Anti-Israel protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the middle of the street
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen enjoying himself at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto
Housakos accused the prime minister of prioritizing leisure over tackling the violent protests that broke out in the city.
Trudeau’s presence at the concert left many Canadians questioning his leadership and priorities during a moment of national unrest as Montreal struggled to restore order.
“Our F…n country is being torn apart as Trudeau dances like Nero playing while Rome burned,” wrote Joyce Wheller on X.
“His rides are burning with rioters while he dances,” said a second.
‘Hey Trudope, time to get your priorities straight, don’t you think?! Cities are on fire from rioters, seniors are once again locked out of your vote buying, children are going hungry because of your inflation, I bet not your children! And here you are playing fool again!’ added another irate user.
“Lawless protesters are walking across Montreal in violent protests. The Prime Minister is dancing. This is the Canada the Liberal government built. Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities to the Canada we once knew and loved,” Toronto MP Don Stewart tweeted.
Toronto is located about 450 kilometers west of the Canadian capital Ottawa and 530 kilometers west of the Montreal district that Trudeau represents.
The protest, which started as a rally in Émilie-Gamelin Park, quickly turned violent as participants threw metal objects and small explosives at police officers.
Smoke bombs filled the air as rioters marched through the streets, holding Palestinian flags and banners, vandalizing storefronts and setting vehicles on fire.
Tensions came to a head when protesters burned an effigy of Netanyahu in the middle of the street.
Montreal police responded by deploying chemical irritants and crowd-control tactics to regain order.
Trudeau was in Toronto on Friday evening on one of the final dates of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour
Trudeau looked like a real Swiftie, as seen with friendship bracelets on his wrist
Trudeau appeared to be enjoying himself as he looked around the stadium
Several users on
At one point, Canada’s Prime Minister traded Taylor Swift bracelets with fellow Swifties
Protesters marched through the city, many carrying Palestinian flags and banners
At one point, demonstrators managed to fire red smoke bombs into the crowd.
The crowd quickly got out of control and began smashing store windows
Many in the crowd wore face masks to identify their voices. Smoke bombs added to the chaos
Parked cars were broken into and set on fire in downtown Montreal
Riot police used tear gas on Friday evening in an attempt to liberate the crowd
Montreal police reported only three arrests for assaulting officers and obstructing police work.
The protests coincided with a NATO summit in Montreal, where delegates from member states and partner countries had gathered to discuss issues such as Ukraine, climate change and NATO’s strategic future.
It also came on the heels of heightened tensions in the city after a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including a significant protest at Concordia University on Thursday, involving clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators.
On Saturday, Trudeau condemned the violence and anti-Semitism on display at the protest, organized by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.
“What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was horrific. Acts of anti-Semitism, intimidation and violence must be condemned wherever we see them,” Trudeau said in a post on X.
“The RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] are in contact with the local police. There must be consequences and the rioters must be held accountable.”
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Defense Minister Bill Blair told reporters at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday that the protesters’ actions were unacceptable.
“What we saw was not a peaceful protest. What we saw was basically violence, hatred and anti-Semitism, and this has no place on our streets,” Joly said.
“Of course we believe in freedom of speech, we believe in the freedom to protest, but where we draw the line is when there is violence.”
Blair added that the demonstration was “nothing like legal, peaceful protests.” Instead, he called the demonstrations an act of “anarchy” by a “mob.”
“It was involvement in violence and hatred that was on display in the city of Montreal,” Blair said. “These behaviors are unacceptable and we can condemn them, and in particular the hatred and anti-Semitism on display there, in the strongest possible terms.”
Smoke filled the air as protesters fired smoke bombs as they rioted
In addition to being anti-Israel, the protest was also anti-NATO in nature
At least one Canadian senator seethed with anger as he watched the chaos unfold
People take part in a protest against NATO in Montreal
People wearing Palestinian-style keffiyehs take part in a protest against NATO in Montreal
On Thursday, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief Yoav Gallant, and for a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
All EU countries are members of the court, which means they are expected to execute the arrest warrants.
Similarly, Trudeau said Canada would comply with the arrest warrant in the unlikely event that Netanyahu visits the country.
Similarly, Trudeau said Canada would comply with the arrest warrant in the unlikely event that Netanyahu visits the country.
‘It is very important that everyone adheres to international law. This is something we have been calling for from the beginning of the conflict. We stand up for international law and we will comply with all regulations and rulings of the international courts. This is exactly who we are as Canadians,” Trudeau said in a statement.
Netanyahu’s office criticized the arrest warrants, labeling them an anti-Semitic move, while Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed urged the Canadian government to reject and condemn the ICC decision, considering it an undermining of Israel’s right to self-defense. .