Police in London, Ont., are investigating after protesters threw gravel and small rocks at Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau as well as accompanying journalists during a campaign event on Monday.
In a statement to Global News, local police confirmed the probe into the incident, which Trudeau and other federal party leaders on Tuesday condemned as “unacceptable.”
“London Police are aware of an incident which occurred on September 6 during a visit to London by Prime Minister Trudeau as well as other elected officials, in which rocks were thrown, striking some participants. LPS has commenced an investigation into this matter,” a spokesperson said in an email.
Police are urging anyone with information to call them at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be sent anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
While at a campaign stop in Montreal, Trudeau spoke out against people who have hurled obscenities towards him throughout the election, with the latest incident happening Monday in southern Ontario.
He said “anti-vaxxer mobs” would not stop him from campaigning in-person this election.
“Nobody should be doing their jobs under the threats of violence or acts to put them in danger. That’s absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
“That’s not how we do things in Canada, and quite frankly as I continue to campaign, I am inspired by those people who continue to do the right thing in the face of anti-vaxxer mobs, who are not respecting the basic science, and the basic decency that Canadians have rightly come to expect from each other.”
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole on Tuesday called the gravel-throwing “completely unacceptable” and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh described those responsible as “troubled people.”
Trudeau was leaving a Labour Day campaign stop Monday when some protesters threw handfuls of gravel and debris at him. The RCMP security detail held up their hands to try and protect Trudeau from getting hit as he got on his campaign bus.
Some members of the media following the Liberal campaign were hit by the small projectiles, but were not hurt.
Many of the protesters in London appeared angry about COVID-19 health measures and vaccination requirements, and yelled slurs and insults at Trudeau.
He compared Monday’s incident to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building, and said Canada should be firm and not let such polarization plague the country.
With files from Global’s Aaron D’Andrea.
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