Montreal police backtrack on who caused fires during Friday's protest

 

Police had initially blamed demonstrators for setting cars on fire, but now say they cannot confirm that and are investigating.

The fires erupted at a pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protest that turned violent, with windows smashed and clashes erupting between protesters and police.

Initially, a police spokesperson said demonstrators were responsible for setting two vehicles ablaze during the protest. By Monday, however, a different spokesperson said the cause of the fires is under investigation.

“The investigation (is) to understand and determine what’s the exact cause of the fire,” said Montreal police spokesperson Véronique Dubuc.

“There were two cars that were ignited. What happened exactly? It will be determined with the investigation,” she said. “We cannot confirm or not. We don’t know exactly if it was caused by the protesters or not.”

Who set the car fires was called into question as Friday’s violent protest continues to draw heightened scrutiny. The protest led to three arrests and drew widespread condemnation, igniting a political firestorm.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he expects “all those responsible to be pursued and punished under the full extent of the law.” Meanwhile opposition leader Pierre Poilievre told The Gazette that the violence is “another confirmation” that “everything is broken” under Trudeau’s leadership.

Now the Montreal police investigation into what unfolded is underway. Dubuc said police will also work to identify individuals who may have committed criminal acts during the protest.

“We have to look at all the footage. We have the surveillance camera; we have to identify the suspect. We have to locate them, and then we have to proceed to go to the arrest, and sometimes we need warrants,” she said. “This is all normal.”

Dubuc said that, as of Monday, no antisemitic incidents were reported during Friday’s protest.

Tensions had risen earlier in the week at a separate pro-Palestinian protest after a woman was filmed making Nazi remarks. At another protest on Sunday, The Gazette learned that police reportedly asked a Montreal rabbi to move away from pro-Palestinian protesters, saying his presence was considered a provocation.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-police-backtrack-on-who-caused-fires-during-fridays-protest