Justin Trudeau encountered at a restaurant. Canadian Prime Minister extracted by police
On Tuesday evening, police had to step in at a restaurant in Vancouver, Canada where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was partaking in his dinner. The Prime Minister was cornered by pro-Palestinian activists, according to a report by Reuters.
4:41 PM EST, November 16, 2023
The incident occurred around 10 pm local time (1 pm Eastern Time). Approximately 250 protesters assembled in and around the Chinatown restaurant where Trudeau was dining. They proudly displayed Palestinian flags and voiced demands for a ceasefire in the presence of the Prime Minister.
"This quickly became a safety concern," conveyed Sergeant Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in a discussion with CBC News.
"When protests occur, our primary duty is to preserve order, ensure people can express their views in a peaceful manner, and address any unlawful actions if they arise," he continued.
Videos shared on social media depict the police assisting the Prime Minister in leaving the restaurant. Subsequently, Trudeau entered a vehicle and was escorted by the officers.
Justin Trudeau has faced pressure from Palestine supporters to advocate for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas since the crisis began.
Two Men Apprehended
Sergeant Addison reported that during the protest in Chinatown, an officer sustained an eye injury after being struck in the face by a protester. The officer was then rushed to a hospital.
Police stated that a 27-year-old man from Coquitlam, British Columbia, was apprehended in connection with the assault. The arresting officers employed a Taser and "other physical control tactics," according to Addison.
They also detained a 34-year-old man from Vancouver for impeding police operations.
