Like him or dislike him, the man has a right to a life. Sure, the optics weren’t great, but what exactly did his detractors want him to do?
Politicians were, of course, quick to condemn the violence and destruction observed at these protests, but we need to be careful with the facts. Hyperbolic social media posts and opinion pieces, many of which I suspect have the dual goal of discrediting politicians in power and pro-Palestinian protesters, run the risk of inciting additional fear among the Jewish community and anti-Arab hate among Canadians. I don’t see how this helps us as a community.
The populist takes making an easy target of Trudeau for attending Friday’s Taylor Swift concert in Toronto are also unfair. Like him or dislike him, the man has a right to a life. He’s a dad who was there with his teenage daughter who is a Swiftie. Sure, the optics weren’t great, but what exactly did his detractors want him to do? Leave in the middle of Shake it Off and fly to Montreal to personally scold protesters?
Attacking him like this may play well with anti-Trudeau folks, but it’s petty politics. Irresponsible rage-farming — exaggerating the lawlessness and extent of Friday’s damages — is manipulating people’s fears and frustration over ongoing protests in order to attack Trudeau. Does the “Canada is broken” crowd expect him to personally employ tear gas to disperse the crowd?
I’m not downplaying the violence and vandalism or the concerns they engender in many Montrealers. I know this past year has been hard on my Jewish friends who are worried about rising antisemitism around the world. My Palestinian friends are no less worried.
People’s democratic right to protest about ongoing human-rights violations in Gaza should be upheld, while ensuring there’s no room for antisemitic speech or actions.
We must practise caution in what we share. Criticize someone on their policies, not on their personal time with their family.
Toula Drimonis is a Montreal journalist and the author of We, the Others: Allophones, Immigrants, and Belonging in Canada.