Trudeau motorcade swarmed by protesters in Belleville, Ont., causing PM to cut appearance short

Some protesters were holding Trump flags, while others were screaming expletives about the government and the media

The Canadian Press
Published Jul 20, 2023  •  Last updated Jul 20, 2023  •  1 minute read
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surrounded by his security detail in Belleville, Ontario.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surrounded by his security detail in Belleville, Ontario, on Thursday. July 20, 2023. Photo by Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — An event for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was cut short in Belleville, Ont., today after nearly 100 protesters surrounded him and his motorcade.

Trudeau was in the city to mark the seventh anniversary of the Liberal government’s Child Care Benefit, to meet with the mayor and to visit a farmers’ market.

Protesters showed up at the market outside city hall as Trudeau met with a crowd of community members and took selfies.

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Trudeau was set to meet with about 10 vendors, but he couldn’t make his way to the other side of the public square after being swarmed by the dozens of protesters.

Some of them were holding Trump flags, while others were screaming expletives about the government and the media.

At one point, the prime minister’s security detail pushed away two women who approached his motorcade as he stood on an SUV’s side step waving and smiling at the crowd.

Reacting to the protesters, one city hall worker said the chaos was a shame.

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Protesters shout at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Protesters shout at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Belleville, Ontario, on July 20, 2023. Photo by Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press
A man shouts at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
A man shouts at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Belleville, Ontario, on July 20, 2023. Photo by Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press
Protesters shout at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Protesters shout at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he leaves Belleville, Ontario, on July 20, 2023. Photo by Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press

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