Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis is speaking out against what he says is “hateful and discriminatory behaviour” towards Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his recent Belleville visit.
Trudeau paid a brief visit to Belleville on Thursday, intending to take in the Farmers Market behind City Hall and meet residents and vendors first hand.
Trudeau was instead greeted by dozens of angry protesters, waving flags and shouting into bullhorns. The rowdy crowd hurled both personal insults and condemnations of Trudeau’s political actions.
Dozens of protesters join the crowd waiting for Trudeau to make an appearance in Belleville’s Market Square. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele 7/20/2023
Later when Trudeau emerged from City Hall, he was surrounded by the protesters, who continued to shout personal insults at him, and demanded that he leave. The Prime Minister, unable to cross Market Square to reach the vendors, was ushered to a motorcade and departed, after the protesters attempted to surround his SUV.
Mayor Ellis released a statement on Saturday morning condemning the protesters.
The statement, posted on the city’s website and on Twitter, said that the behaviour of the protesters was not acceptable.
“Freedom of speech and the right to protest can be a wonderful thing; it is a part of what makes democracy great. However, what happened on Thursday was far beyond that,” said Mayor Ellis in the statement.
The brief statement also thanks Trudeau for visiting, and expresses hope that everyone involved can move on from the experience.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau moves through Belleville’s Market Square towards his SUV, surrounded by supporters and protesters alike. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele 7/20/2023
The statement in its entirety can be found on the city website here.
