Canadians have the right to freedom of speech, assembly and expression, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Nazi symbolism, racist imagery, and the desecration of war memorials will not be tolerated.
Today he addressed the Trucker Convoy which gathered en masse in Ottawa this past weekend and the actions of some during it.
Ottawa Police says several criminal investigations are now underway in relation to the desecration of the National War Memorial/Terry Fox statue, threatening/illegal/intimidating behavior to police/city workers and other individuals, plus damage to a city vehicle.
“It is an insult to memory and truth,” said Trudeau. “Hate can never be the answer. Over the past few days, Canadian were shocked and frankly disgusted by the behavior displayed by some people protesting in our nation’s capital.”
Audio PlayerTrudeau says Canada is not intimidated by people who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless.
He thanked all Canadians who’ve made donations to the Shepherds of Good Hope and the Terry Fox Foundation after what they saw in Ottawa over the weekend.
He also urged anyone in the convoy who is uncomfortable with any of this to speak out and don’t stand for intolerance and hate.
He thanked the 90 percent of truckers who are vaccinated in Canada and who keep the supply chains open, but he says he’s chosen to not go anywhere near protests that show a disrespect of science, frontline healthcare workers, and the 90 percent of truckers who are vaccinated.
Several criminal investigations are underway in relation to the desecration of the National War Memorial/Terry Fox statue, threatening/illegal/intimidating behaviour to police/city workers and other individuals and damage to a city vehicle. 1/2
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) January 30, 2022
