Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended an anti-racism protest Friday and took a public knee in solidarity with demonstrators.
Trudeau arrived on Parliament Hill in Ottawa with security guards, wearing a black cloth mask. After a few protesters asked him to kneel, he did. They thanked him afterward.
The prime minister did not speak, though he clapped and nodded along with some of the other speakers, including a moment when a speaker asserted there is no middle ground on racism. At another point, he yelled "Amen" along with other protesters after a speaker discussed promoting love and justice.
Earlier this week, Trudeau had said that Canadians are watching what is unfolding in the U.S. with "horror and consternation," and he paused for 21 seconds when asked about President Donald Trump and the use of tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity, then sidestepped the question.
The Ottawa protest was one of multiple events in Canada on Friday, following days of demonstrations against racism and police brutality in numerous U.S. cities.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders and other uniformed officers met with a group of protesters. The police chief then removed his hat and took a knee near police headquarters. "We see you and we are listening," Saunders, who is black, tweeted after the meeting. "We have to all stay in this together to make change."
Trudeau acknowledged last year during the federal election that he let down his supporters — and all Canadians of color — by appearing years ago in brown face and black face.
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