Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a long pause to process his response to the protests that have taken place throughout the United States.
During a press conference on Tuesday, a reporter asked Trudeau if he would break from his norm of remaining silent on the actions taken by President Trump for the removal of demonstrators near the White House on Monday and threats to use the military against violent protesters across the country.
According to one Canadian reporter, Trudeau took an uncharacteristic amount of time to think his answer over. After 21 seconds, Trudeau finally spoke but avoided any mention of Trump.
“We all watch in horror and consternation at what’s going on in the United States. It is a time to pull people together, but it is a time to listen. It is a time to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades,” Trudeau said.
“But it is a time for us as Canadians to recognize that we too have our challenges,” he added. “That black Canadians and racialized Canadians face discrimination as a lived reality every single day. There is systemic discrimination in Canada, which means our systems treat Canadians of color, Canadians who are racialized, differently than they do others.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was just asked to comment directly on President Trump’s handling of the protests and violence in the US.
Trudeau, who is usually quick to answer, paused for a very, very long time.
This was his response. pic.twitter.com/V61GrsgTeT
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) June 2, 2020
Trump has been criticized after law enforcement used nonlethal force to remove protesters from in front of the White House, shortly before a curfew in Washington, D.C. went into effect, and his visit to nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church. The president also took heat for posing with members of his administration while holding a Bible at the historic church, which suffered fire damage during protests on Sunday night.
Protesters have gathered throughout the country to demand changes in policing policy and an end to racial inequality following the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after being arrested by a white officer who held him down by kneeling on his neck. Some of the protests have led to riots that include looting, vandalism, and violence.
