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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash for attending a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto while pro-Palestinian protests escalated into riots, including looting and burning, in downtown Montreal.
Critics highlighted that Trudeau, who represents Montreal’s Papineau district in Parliament, was 330 miles away during the unrest. As news of the chaos broke, a viral video captured a carefree Trudeau dancing to Swift’s “You Don’t Own Me.”
While Trudeau danced at the Swift concert, protesters in Montreal set off smoke bombs, burned effigies of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, damaged property, and waved pro-Palestinian flags. The riot, organized by Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, prompted Trudeau to condemn the violence as “appalling” in a statement.
He also wrote the following on X: “Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable.”
Several MPs criticized Trudeau for partying during the crisis, with Don Stewart, a Toronto MP, urging Canada to “restore law and order.”
Stewart wrote on X: “Lawless protesters 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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf
— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Trudeau for prioritizing a concert over condemning what he called a “violent Hamas takeover of our streets,” accusing him of turning Canada into “a playground for foreign interference.” Quebec Premier François Legault also joined in criticizing Trudeau.
“Burning cars and smashing windows is not about sending a message, it’s about causing chaos. Such acts have no place in a peaceful society like Quebec,” said Legault.
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