"Let's Go Ceasefire" Fierce Anti-War Protest in Montreal
Criticism Over Dancing at Swift Concert Revealed
As intense anti-war protests continue in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing growing criticism for dancing in the front row at a global pop star Taylor Swift's concert.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dancing in the front row at the Taylor Swift concert held in Toronto. Photo captured from X (formerly Twitter)
On the 23rd, major foreign media outlets including Fox News reported that an anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian protest took place in downtown Montreal, Canada, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly was held the previous day. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with smoke bombs. Montreal police stated that some protesters threw smoke bombs and metal objects at officers. The police dispersed the crowd using tear gas and batons, and three protesters were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers and obstructing their duties.
However, on the evening of the protest, it was revealed that Prime Minister Trudeau enjoyed Taylor Swift's concert held in Toronto. To make matters worse, a video showing Trudeau dancing in the front row to the music played before Swift took the stage, along with the fact that Swifties (Swift's fan club) were exchanging friendship bracelets, was shared, sparking a fierce wave of criticism. Some netizens criticized Trudeau as "Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burns" and said, "Trudeau has time to dance and take selfies but is too busy to condemn violent street protests."
Voices of criticism also came from the opposition. Don Stewart, a member of the Canadian Conservative Party in the House of Commons, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Lawless protesters are staging violent demonstrations in Montreal while the Prime Minister dances," emphasizing, "This is the Canada built by the Liberal government. We must reclaim the Canada we once knew and loved, with law and order, safe streets, and communities."
This controversy also emerged amid a continuous decline in Trudeau's approval ratings ahead of next year's general election. Earlier last month, the Canadian Conservative Party attempted a vote of no confidence against Trudeau, blaming him for rising inflation and increased crime, but Trudeau survived two such votes.
Meanwhile, Trudeau had posted on X last July when Swift's tour schedule was announced, saying to Swift, "There are places in Canada that want you. Hope to see you soon." On the 15th of this month, he also expressed his excitement about the concert, saying, "We are ready for you (Swift)."
However, according to a public opinion poll conducted by Canadian polling firm Abacus Data from the 17th to the 22nd of last month, nearly half?47%?of respondents said they want "Prime Minister Trudeau to resign immediately."
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