Protestors shut down Toronto reception with Justin Trudeau, Italian PM Meloni, demanding end to war in Gaza

Protestors for Gaza, against Israel, and those generally anti-war swarmed the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto on Saturday night to disrupt a reception with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. They blasted Trudeau over his handling of the war in Gaza, and called Meloni a fascist.

While Trudeau was believed to be inside, CityNews Toronto reports that according to Trudeau’s office neither he nor Meloni were able to enter the venue and the event was cancelled. The venue also briefly went into lockdown.



The protestors blocked multiple entrances, chanting slogans such as "Free free Palestine!" and the genocidal "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." At one point they chanted "Where is the intifada? We are the intifada!"

They also swarmed anyone who attempted to enter the building, shouting "Shame!" while trying to prevent them from entering the building.

Trudeau's own Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen was among those targeted by the protestors, who shouted "Shame on you!" and called Trudeau a traitor. One man told him "You are pathetic. How dare you cut the UNRWA funding."

In the end Hussen was seen leaving the area. CityNews reports that he entered a nearby police station.

Protestors were also heard taunting Justin Trudeau, who was believed to be inside. One woman shouted "Come out come out wherever you are!" and "Olly olly oxen free!"

The event culminated with law enforcement pushing back against the protestors to clear them from one of the entrances. Mounted police officers were on hand. After the initial pushback, one protestor announced that their event had been a success.

Most protestors then left, however a few remained to shout at anyone exiting the venue.

An unrelated group of protestors who were critical of everything from Trudeau's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to the "Online Harms Act" Bill C-63 set up banners across the street. Slogans such as "Trudeau Must Go" and "Jail Time For Freeland" were on display alongside a F*CK TRUDEAU flag. They had previously been set up outside the Fairmont Royal York Hotel where Trudeau and Meloni met earlier in the day.