Prime Minister Trudeau takes a knee in support of Black Lives

Prime Minister Trudeau takes a knee in support of black lives. Over 7,000 strong attended the Ottawa rally

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood and knelt in solidarity with thousands of Canadians who descended onto Parliament Hill to protest the senseless and tragic death of George Floyd. The black American man who died while being physically held down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Prime Minister Trudeau, flanked by his security team stood in silence as he listened to anti-racism demonstrators who took to the microphone to denounce the killing of Floyd and other black Americans at the hands of the police in the United States.  

The peaceful protest on The Hill was comprised of a diverse crowd, estimated to be about 7,000 strong, represented by all ages and ethnicity,  all demanding justice in absolute solidarity, with many carrying signs that said; “Black Lives Matter”, “ no peace till we’re equal”  and “ no justice! no peace!”

But there was peace, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds the demonstrators and the Prime Minister were silent, as they knelt on one knee to solemnly mark the amount of time a police officer held his knee to Floyd’s neck, subsequently causing his brutal death.  

Trudeau stayed at the rally, solemnly, for approximately one hour, without addressing the crowd. The attendees seeming to appreciate his presence, knowing that the leader of the country was there supporting their cause.

As the call for change and the end of institutional racism grows louder, the Prime Minister is listening.  He commented earlier Friday, saying
“ Far too many Canadians feel fear and anxiety at the sight of law enforcement officers. Over the past weeks, we’ve seen a large number of Canadians suddenly awaken to the fact that the discrimination that is a lived reality for far too many of our fellow citizens is something that needs to end.”

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