[R-G] Canada: Protests cancel Netanyahu speech

[Barry Stoller]

CP. 9 September 2002. Netanyahu speech cancelled after protests.

MONTREAL -- A scheduled speech by former Israeli premier Benjamin
Netanyahu was cancelled Monday after police had to use pepper spray and
tear gas in a clash with demonstrators.

Security officials at Concordia University said the event was called off
because about 200 protesters crowded inside the downtown university
building where Mr. Netanyahu had been scheduled to speak.

Protesters tossed chairs and newspaper boxes at police who tried to
empty the building.

Mr. Netanyahu was not in the building, and his handlers had said he
would not give his speech unless his safety could be guaranteed.

Police arrested at least one person in the melee as other demonstrators
tried to get into the building by smashing windows.

Earlier, Mr. Netanyahu told a news conference that the world would be
making a mistake if it failed to support the U.S.-led effort to oust
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

Some of the several hundred people who gathered in downtown Montreal on
Monday to protest against Mr. Netanyahu's visit accused him of being a
terrorist and said he has no right to a pulpit from which to voice what
they call his anti-Palestinian views.

Mr. Netanyahu, who was Israel's Likud Party prime minister from 1996 to
1999, is scheduled to speak Tuesday in Toronto, where more protests have
been planned.

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Barry Stoller
http://www.utopia2000.org
The NEW ProletarianNews

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