Keep COVID in mind when protesting, Freeland says

OTTAWA—Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland suggested Wednesday that COVID-19 will keep her away from anti-racism marches planned across Canada in coming days.

Freeland called peaceful protests a valuable and important form of political expression, but with large gatherings still restricted in Canada to slow the spread of the coronavirus, they must be approached with caution.

“The coronavirus issue is a really serious one to think about in that context,” she said.

“As a mother, I have been struggling very hard to say to my children that they can’t see their friends, and they can’t be in groups, so setting an example on that front is also an important one for me.”

Freeland’s comments came amid calls from opposition politicians and community groups for the Liberal government to move from words to actions in its efforts to address racism in Canada.

Tensions have run high in several U.S. cities for days after George Floyd, a Black man, died in police custody on May 25.

The marches in the U.S. have been both peaceful and destructive, sometimes spurred on by aggressive policing, and have resulted in other deaths, as well as widespread property damage.

U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at the protesters, calling them thugs and anarchists. He has suggested the military be used to quash them and has appeared to advocate violence against protesters.

The prime minister fell silent for several moments Tuesday when a reporter asked for his views on the crisis. He eventually said Canadians were watching in horror what was going on in the U.S., but did not mention Trump directly.

Trudeau’s silence was deafening, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Wednesday.

“The prime minister of Canada has to call out the hatred and racism happening just south of the border and if the prime minister can’t do that, how can everyday people be expected to stand up?” Singh said.

“The prime minister should lead by example.”

Trudeau has long ducked questions calling on him to respond to statements by the U.S. president, repeating — as he did Tuesday — that Canadians expect their government to focus on them.

But Singh said that’s not acceptable.

He called Trump’s actions reprehensible, accusing the president of inflaming hatred and divisions, fuelling racism and putting people’s lives at risk.

“There are times when we have to be strategic and there are times when we have to stand up for what’s right,” he said.

“And this is one of those times you have to stand up for what’s right.”