Close X
Saturday, October 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

Supporters And Critics Of Motion Condemning Islamophobia Clash In Montreal

The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2017 12:38 PM
    There were some tense moments in the streets of Montreal on Saturday as there were some clashes between supporters and opponents of a Parliamentary motion condemning Islamophobia.
     
    There was a heavy police presence outside city hall keeping the two sides apart as a demonstration by critics of the motion was met by an equally large counter-protest.
     
    On one side, some protesters carried signs calling for free speech and waved the flags of right wing groups that have sprung up in Quebec recently, while their opponents chanted anti-fascist slogans and expressed support for immigrants and Muslims.
     
    The two groups, which each appeared to be between 100 and 200 people, then held parallel marches through the streets of Montreal.
     
    Despite police efforts to keep the two sides apart, some isolated scuffles occurred between the two sides as tempers flared.
     
    Police say there were no arrests or injuries.
     
    An Ontario Liberal backbencher, Iqra Khalid, brought forward the motion in Parliament last year, and since then she has received numerous racist and sexually derogatory emails that were laced with expletives.
     
     
    Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who prominently backed the motion, also found herself on the receiving end of similar kinds of messages.
     
    The Opposition tried to pass an amendment last month removing the word "Islamophobia'' from the motion, saying it singles out one religious group over others.
     
    But the Liberals used their majority to block the effort.
     
    Protests against the motion were expected to take place in several Canadian cities including Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Toronto Stock Market's Main Index Hits Record High, Buoyed By Bank, Energy Stocks

    Toronto Stock Market's Main Index Hits Record High, Buoyed By Bank, Energy Stocks
    TORONTO — The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index soared to a new record high Friday, driven by strength in bank and energy stocks.

    Toronto Stock Market's Main Index Hits Record High, Buoyed By Bank, Energy Stocks

    Halifax Police Respond To Reports Of Loose Sheep Wandering West End

    HALIFAX — A loose sheep caused a brief stir in Halifax's west end Friday.

    Halifax Police Respond To Reports Of Loose Sheep Wandering West End

    Toronto Police Won't March In Pride Parade, Force's Chief Says

    Toronto's police chief said Friday that his force will not participate in this year's Pride parade, pointing to divisions within the LGBTQ community as a reason for his decision.

    Toronto Police Won't March In Pride Parade, Force's Chief Says

    Trudeau Concedes He And Trump Will Disagree On Issues During Monday Meeting

    Trudeau Concedes He And Trump Will Disagree On Issues During Monday Meeting
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concedes there are areas where he will disagree with U.S. President Donald Trump when the pair sit down together in Washington on Monday.

    Trudeau Concedes He And Trump Will Disagree On Issues During Monday Meeting

    Two Found Dead In Wreckage Of Plane Crash In Manitoba

    RCMP say the single-engine Cessna took off on Thursday from St. Andrews, north of Winnipeg, and was reported late at its destination in Winkler.

    Two Found Dead In Wreckage Of Plane Crash In Manitoba

    B.C. Auditor General Says Most Evergreen Line Recommendations Implemented

    VICTORIA — British Columbia's auditor general says the government has made improvements in planning major capital projects following a scathing report in 2013 that found approval to build a rapid-transit line was lacking in information.

    B.C. Auditor General Says Most Evergreen Line Recommendations Implemented