Trudeau takes a knee at anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an appearance at an anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill today, showing up unannounced to hear speeches from activists demanding fairer treatment from police for minorities.

Trudeau joined the large crowd in kneeling for eight minutes and 46 seconds which is how long aMinneapolis police officer held down George Floyd with his knee on hisneck before he died. The African-American man died while in policecustody on May 25; all four officers at the scene now face charges.

Protesters in other cities have asked police officers to kneel to show respect for black people who have been killed in police custody. Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders also took a knee during a protest in that city today.

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick launched the kneelinggesture some years ago by dropping to one knee during the national anthemto protest violentpolice treatment ofAfrican-Americans. His critics accused him of showing disrespect for the anthem and the American flag.

Trudeau tried to blend into the crowd Friday butTV cameras and theRCMP security detail made his presence known to the roughly 4,000activistsgathered around the CentennialFlame on the lawn at Parliament Hill. Trudeau told his securitydetail to stop pushing people as he made his way closer to the stage where the speakers were addressing the crowd.

Trudeau initially wasmet with chants of "Stand up to Trump!" and "Go away!" from some in the crowd. The yelling died down as local black leaders started speaking about their calls for an end to racial injustice at home and abroad.

WATCH | Justin Trudeau takes a knee during anti-black racism protest

Trudeau takes a knee at anti-racism protest

4 years ago

Duration 1:48

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an appearance at an anti-racism rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Friday. He was met with chants of "Stand up to Trump!" from the crowd and kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds to remember George Floyd.

The Trump chantwas a reference to the prime minister's reluctance to condemn U.S. President Donald Trump by name over his handling of the protests.

Trudeau was askedthis weekto respond to the president's threatto deploy active duty military personnel on protesters in U.S. cities a question that Trudeau answered after a21-second pause.

The prime minister clapped Friday as the assembledspeakers chanted "black lives matter" and called on those in power to do more to address systemic racism.

Someone in the crowd handed the prime minister a T-shirt with that slogan emblazoned on the front.

Trudeau was accompanied by Families Minister Ahmed Hussen, a Somali-Canadian who has spoken out about the racism he has faced in Canada.

"I think it's powerful when you have the head of government taking a knee and clapping when people say 'black lives matter,'" Hussen said. "It's incredibly powerful for him to come and be part of this."

The crowd on hand for the Parliament Hill protest was a multi-racial cross-section of the city, something Hussen said gives him"a lot of hope in the future."

WATCH | Ahmed Hussen says the PM's action were 'pretty powerful'

'I think it is pretty powerful when you have the head of government coming and listening and taking a knee': Hussen

4 years ago

Duration 1:29

Families Minister Ahmed Hussen spoke with reporters after attending the anti-racism rally on Parliament Hill with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau June 5.

After the speeches, the protesters moved down Wellington St., which runs right in front of the Prime Minister's Office in downtown Ottawa.

NDP Jagmeet Singh also took part in similar anti-black racism protests in Toronto. He marched with the activists to that city's Nathan Phillips Square.

"We need to be heard. People need to be heard,"Singh said in a video post on his Instagrampage. "People want justice, they want systemic change and an end to racial profiling."

Watch:The Power Panel discusses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's attendance at a protest against anti-black racism and his government's record on that issue:

Power Panel | PM participates in anti-racism rally

4 years ago

Duration 8:57

The Power Panel discusses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's attendance at a protest against anti-black racism and his government's record on that issue.