3 arrested at pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protest downtown Montreal
CTV
As NATO officials met up in Montreal, pro-Palestinian protesters flooded downtown in solidarity with those in Gaza.
As NATO officials met up in Montreal, pro-Palestinian protesters flooded downtown in solidarity with those in Gaza, leading to three arrests.
Some 300 delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are expected in the city between Nov. 22 and 25 to discuss support for Ukraine, climate change, and the future of the alliance.
There were several protests throughout the day, including one in the early afternoon at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and one in the evening around the Quartier des Spectacles.
Police say one contingent of protesters met up around 4:30 p.m. at Place Émilie-Gamelin while another started at 5:30 p.m. at Place des Arts.
The two crowds merged around 6 p.m. and lit an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on fire in the middle of the street before marching. They chanted "Free Palestine," and "Israel is terrorist, Canada is complicit," as they lit smoke bombs. Metal barriers were also thrown in the street to keep riot police away.
According to Montreal police (SPVM), protesters smashed the windows of the Palais des Congrès, where the NATO summit is taking place, and various surrounding shops. Officers then used pepper spray, tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, and three people were arrested for assaulting officers and obstructing police work. While dispersing, protesters lit two vehicles on fire, said the SPVM.
The protest was over by 7 p.m.
