'...It was incited by Donald Trump': PM Trudeau, Canada's federal leaders 'deeply disturbed' by riot at U.S. Capitol, point finger at president's hate speech
Canada’s political leaders are commenting on pro-Donald Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
“There is an important electoral process unfolding in the United States and I think we all want it and need it to unfold properly and peacefully. So we certainly hope that things will calm down” Trudeau told NEWS 1130. “We’re going to keep watching carefully.”
Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld - and it will be.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 6, 2021
The prime minister went on to release a statement on Twitter, which reads that “Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States.”
“Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld - and it will be.”
The horror unfolding in Washington is frightening and it was incited by Donald Trump.
He can end it now, but refuses to.
Democracy must not be intimidated.
The violence must end.— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) January 6, 2021
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh shared a tweet stating that the “horror” that occurred in Washington was “incited by Donald Trump” and “the violence must end.”
The storming of the Capitol Building is an astonishing assault on freedom and democracy. I am deeply saddened to see chaos grip our greatest ally today.
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) January 6, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole called storming the U.S. Capitol “an astonishing assault on freedom and democracy.”
I am following the evolving situation in Washington DC with deep concern. Moments such as these underscore the importance of respect for the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power - principles upon which any healthy democracy depends. #uspoli #USCapitol
— Annamie Paul (@AnnamiePaul) January 6, 2021
Canada’s Green Party Leader Annamie Paul tweeted Wednesday that, “moments such as these underscore the importance of respect for the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power - principles upon which any healthy democracy depends.”
Events unfolding in Washington today are both disturbing & appalling. The U.S. Capitol is one of the global centres of democracy – this violence & attempt at insurrection following a free & fair election is unacceptable. Democracy has to prevail & I’m confident it will prevail.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 7, 2021
Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted that what happened on Wednesday was “both disturbing and appalling.”
The scene unfolding in the US Capitol is nothing short of horrifying.
Our hearts are with the people of Washington, DC and all Americans, as they defend their democracy from this brazen, hateful attack.— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) January 6, 2021
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the scene at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday “horrifying.”
“Our hearts are with the people of Washington, DC and all Americans, as they defend their democracy from this brazen, hateful attack,” the tweet from Horwath reads.
The mob stormed the U.S. Capitol amid chaotic violence, with one person shot dead.
This comes after the U.S. president said that he will “never concede” after Joe Biden’s victory in the American election.
“We will never give up. We will never concede. It will never happen,” Trump said to a group of supporters near the White House. “You don’t concede when there’s theft involved. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore.”
Trump has since made his first acknowledgement that his term as U.S. president is coming to an end, saying that there will be an “orderly transition on January 20th.”
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said in a statement.
As the violence continued to unfold in the U.S., on Wednesday Canadians took to social media to share their thoughts on the situation, with some lost for words and others calling the situation “heartbreaking.”
The US #capitolhill crisis is quite telling.
Make no mistake if this was BLACK LIVES MATTER there would be dead bodies everywhere - Black and brown bodies.#Trump has manufactured this attack on democracy. THIS is PEAK white privilege.
IT IS TERRIFYING. My ❤ is w my US family— Dr. Jill Andrew (@JILLSLASTWORD) January 6, 2021
No words pic.twitter.com/9p6LE0HG5g
— Farah Nasser (@FarahNasser) January 6, 2021
If the events at the #Capitol do not speak to the very real system of #whitesupremacy in 21st century U.S.A., then I don't know what does.
— Yadesha Satheaswaran (@YadeshaS) January 6, 2021
It is time for @Twitter to stop allowing @realDonaldTrump to use their platform to continue to incite violence & attack democracy by deleting this fraud’s account & permanently banning him. Anything less makes #Twitter complicit. Enough is enough. Do the right thing.
— adaroundtown (@adaroundtown) January 6, 2021
We here in Canada know how much damage was done by one lone gunman storming Parliament in 2014. Just imagine the terror being felt now on Capitol Hill. This. is. Insane. #cdnpoli
— Susan Delacourt (@SusanDelacourt) January 6, 2021
I have shivers watching this all unfold. Feeling dismayed and disgusted: https://t.co/DzRxNeZiVn
— Caryn Lieberman (@caryn_lieberman) January 6, 2021
Watching what is happening to the U.S. Capitol, I can honestly say that I don't know if I'll ever step foot back in the US. Truly heartbreaking what is happening to that country. #CapitolBuilding #CapitolRiot
— 🇨🇦 Cheryl 🇨🇦 (@loucheryl) January 6, 2021
As the night continued, “As a Canadian” started trending on Twitter, with many calling out that these horrendous event could happen in Canada as well.
As a Canadian...I acknowledge that white supremacy IS Canadian too.
We've literally got protests happening in multiple cities across the country right now.
Don't be confused...white supremacy is as Canadian as maple syrup.— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) January 6, 2021
As a Canadian, I know white supremacy is as Canadian as Tim Hortons.
— Ahmed Ali (@MrAhmednurAli) January 6, 2021
The only ‘As a Canadian’ tweets should be about recognizing how this can happen here as well and what we must do to prevent it. pic.twitter.com/JhR5zIl5Iv
— Bhutila Karpoche (@BhutilaKarpoche) January 6, 2021
The fact that “as a Canadian” is trending while there are actual pro-Trump protests IN FRONT OF THE VANCOUVER ART GALLERY THIS SECOND says so much about our collective denial and smirkiness. pic.twitter.com/cFIlZaQcTi
— Veronika Bondarenko (@veronikabond) January 6, 2021