Canada: Trudeau protests in support of anti-racism activists, knee on the ground

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The Prime Minister of Canada participated in a demonstration in Ottawa on Friday June 5 in support of supporters of George Floyd and protesters who speak out against police violence. Justin Trudeau's position appears to be firmer towards the Trump administration's position than at the start of the week.

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With our correspondent in Montreal, Pascale Guéricolas

The image is strong. Justin Trudeau, one knee on the ground, black mask on his face, surrounded by protesters denouncing violence and police brutality. Even though he did not speak at the rally in front of the Canadian parliament, the actions of the Canadian Prime Minister spoke for him. He thus applauded with the other participants when one of the leaders present launched that it was necessary to choose his side, racism or anti-racism. 

This attitude favorable to the demonstrators denouncing the murder of George Floyd constitutes a break with his silence of the beginning of the week. Asked at a press conference on the reaction of the American president to the current demonstrations, Justin Trudeau had not said a word for 21 endless seconds. As if he couldn't risk condemning Donald Trump's position. 

In his speeches, the Prime Minister of Canada recognized that relations with the police must also improve in his own country. A video extract was released a few days ago showing an officer hitting an Inuit in Nunavut with the door of a vehicle running before stopping him.

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• Canada
• Justin Trudeau
• Racism

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