Canadian protesters chanted “Stand up against Trump!” to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canadian protesters chanted “Stand up against Trump!” to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he joined thousands of people at a rally against racism on Friday and took a knee alongside the protesters.
Trudeau, wearing a black mask and surrounded by bodyguards, made a surprise appearance at the “No justice = No peace” rally in front of Parliament. Her appearance came a day after police killed an Aboriginal woman during a welfare check in eastern Canada.
Demonstrations took place in other Canadian cities on Friday, including Toronto, where hundreds of people flocked to downtown to protest the death of unarmed black man George Floyd while he was in custody in Minnesota.
Trudeau knelt three times alongside other protesters, a gesture used to protest police brutality and the treatment of African Americans by the police. Several people then thanked Trudeau for kneeling.
Police on Monday gassed peaceful protesters outside the White House to make room for President Donald Trump to have his photo taken with a Bible while standing outside a church.
Asked to comment on Trump’s idea of using soldiers against protesters on Tuesday, the Liberal Prime Minister paused for more than 20 seconds before saying that Canadians were watching the United States in “horror and dismay”.
Trudeau did not speak at the rally on Friday and left as protesters began a march to the U.S. Embassy near Parliament.
“What has to happen is a long-term change,” said Sisi Akhigbe, 24, who raised more than CAN $ 9,000 online to provide drinks and snacks for protesters in Ottawa. “We were treated unfairly and we are tired.”
