Riots erupted overnight in parts of Montreal after pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protesters clashed with police officers, smashed windows of businesses, and even set vehicles ablaze in the downtown area.
Canadian English-language daily newspaper The Gazette, also known as the Montreal Gazette, reported that the protests coincided with the 70th Annual Session of NATO in Montreal, which kicked off on Friday and lasts through Monday. About 300 delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are expected to attend the weekend high-level event.
Here's more from the local paper about the overnight chaos:
An initial group of protesters gathered at Émilie-Gamelin Parc downtown at around 4:30 p.m. before marching toward the Quartier des Spectacles, according to Manuel Couture, a spokesperson for the Montreal police. By 5:30 p.m., another group had converged at Place des Arts, and the two demonstrations merged.
The protesters then marched down St-Urbain St. At 6:10 p.m., tensions escalated as demonstrators set an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on fire in the middle of the crowd. As the march continued, objects — including small explosive devices and metal items — were hurled into the street, targeting police officers. By 6:40 p.m., protesters had smashed shop windows near St-Urbain and René-Lévesque Blvd., and set two vehicles ablaze.
Couture said police deployed chemical irritants and conducted crowd-dispersal manoeuvres to regain control. Three protesters were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers and obstructing police work.
Footage of the social unrest was shared on X:
Antifa and far-left rioters carried out violent attacks in downtown Montreal in a pro-Gaza direct action against visiting NATO officials on Nov. 22. pic.twitter.com/ffcJq6dZUN
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 23, 2024
Anti-Israel rioters were torching cars in Montreal tonight to “Free Palestine”
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 23, 2024
The violence started around 6 pm local time. CBC, the Canadian public broadcaster, didn’t spend a single second on reporting it during its 10 o’clock news program on CBC News.
This is why X… pic.twitter.com/nL2lZ0XPHw
These aren't protests, they're riots.
— David Jacobs (@DrJacobsRad) November 23, 2024
A serious government would be working around the clock to bring an end to this chaos.
But as we've been shown time and time again, the Trudeau Government is anything but serious.#Cdnpoli #Montreal pic.twitter.com/AEoTkKV00i
Violent mobs riot and rampage through beautiful Montreal, typifying the chaos that is engulfing our once-peaceful country after 9 years of Trudeau’s radical, divisive agenda.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) November 23, 2024
Trudeau fiddles while Montreal burns.
🚨BREAKING: Absolute mayhem in Montreal, Canada, as pro-Hamas maniacs riot on the streets, attacking the police and terrorizing everyone.
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) November 23, 2024
This will only get worse. Those are all terrorists.pic.twitter.com/5TyOjthSxu
The keffiyeh crowd is burning an effigy in the middle of the Montreal riot.
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) November 23, 2024
Who is it supposed to be?https://t.co/oBBYUfT66V
Montreal, Canada, is in chaos as riots erupt, with protestors smashing windows, torching cars, and wreaking havoc on the streets.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) November 23, 2024
Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is attending a Taylor Swift concert. pic.twitter.com/JBpN9h5fLS
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was jamming out at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto at the time of the incident.
Terrorism on our streets and Trudeau doesn't care.
— Canada Proud (@WeAreCanProud) November 23, 2024
Pro-Hamas riots are taking place in Montreal, meanwhile Trudeau is at a Taylor Swift concert displaying his cringe dance moves. pic.twitter.com/0wpXUgRNFa
Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, attends Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/p8x3PASONx
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 23, 2024
Hope you had fun, Justin.
