Montreal Protest Turns Violent During NATO Summit, Leading to Arrests

Pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO demonstrators clashed with police, causing property damage and raising concerns about protest management in the city.

Three arrests were made after protesters in Montreal set vehicles on fire, smashed windows, and threw objects at police during a demonstration on Friday evening.
The protest was organized by pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO groups, coinciding with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly hosted in the city from November 22 to 25.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the violence and defended the police, attributing much of the property damage to known 'professional vandals' who infiltrated the protests.
Police Chief Fady Dagher noted that the use of masks by demonstrators has made identifying and arresting perpetrators more challenging, though additional arrests are expected as investigations continue.
The protest highlighted tensions over NATO's perceived role in global conflicts and ongoing outrage about the war in Gaza, with organizers accusing NATO of complicity in regional injustices.