A group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered at restaurants where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was dining, in Vancouver. Two people were arrested. The protesters demanded a ceasefire in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza following terror attacks by Hamas on October 7.
Videos show protesters shouting at Trudeau during his visits to different restaurants. The Vancouver Police Department deployed nearly 100 officers to control a protest outside a Chinatown restaurant where the Prime Minister was dining. Another protest took place at an Indian restaurant called Vij’s earlier in the evening.
Around 10 pm, approximately 250 people surrounded the Chinatown restaurant. The police helped disperse the crowd and escorted Trudeau out of the restaurant. During the protest, a 27-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer, who received medical treatment for injuries. The VPD is recommending criminal charges against the man. Additionally, a 34-year-old man was arrested for obstructing police but has been released pending further investigation.
The VPD emphasized its support for the right to peaceful assembly and expression of views. Trudeau has faced criticism from both sides for his comments on the conflict. While in Vancouver, he asked Israel to show “maximum restraint” but did not call for a ceasefire. His statement drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), which called for support for Israel in removing the Hamas regime from Gaza. CIJA posted, “If Canada wants to contribute to the goal of sustainable peace, it will stand firmly with Israel as it toils to remove the murderous Hamas regime from Gaza. Anything less condemns the region to perpetual suffering for all.”
