Pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the stage during the grand opening of Saint John’s revamped waterfront space on Monday.
Dozens of people, including politicians from all three levels of government, had gathered to mark the opening of Ihtoli-maqahamok, which means “The Gathering Space” in Wolastoqey.
Just before the event started, a number of protesters went over to Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long. They wanted him to sign a letter demanding that Ottawa impose an immediate arms embargo on Israel.
But when the Liberal MP declined and walked up to his seat on the stage, the protesters followed him and refused to leave.
“Wayne Long is complicit in the genocide. He doesn’t want to sign the arms embargo,” yelled one protester.
The protesters left the stage after about 15 minutes, which was around the same time that four Saint John Police Force officers arrived at the scene.
But when Long stood to give his remarks, the protesters began yelling once again, with one of them trying to go back onto the stage.
Pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the stage during the grand opening of Saint John's revamped waterfront space this afternoon.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) July 22, 2024
They wanted Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long to sign a letter demanding that Ottawa impose an immediate arms embargo on Israel — which he refused. pic.twitter.com/wsMDtohqws
After an officer intervened, he moved down to the front of the stage and stayed there until the MP was done with his remarks.
When speaking with reporters after the grand opening, Long said he supports their right to protest.
“Protests are to make politicians like me feel uncomfortable and confront politicians. I would question the method. I don’t think it gains any community support,” he said.
Israel declared war against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.
While the federal government has frozen new arms export permits to Israel, it has not cancelled existing permits.
Long said he supports the Liberal government’s position on the matter.
“What we see unfolding in the Gaza Strip is horrid and it’s tragic and there are lives lost and there are atrocities on both sides, but I also recognize what happened on October 7th as a terrorism event,” he said.
“I support the Palestinians that want to protest here and I also support in spades the Jewish community here. Anti-semitism is like a virus, it’s a shape-shifting virus that is spreading across the world, and I stand with the Jewish community against the rise of anti-semitism.”
What is Ihtoli-maqahamok?
Work on the renovated plaza began nearly two years ago in the fall of 2022. It was supposed to be done by the end of 2023 but faced multiple delays along the way.
The renovated space includes a new and expanded stage, an outdoor skating rink, and year-round restaurant patios.
There is also space for craft and food vendors and easy access for the public to enjoy the waterfront thanks to new tidal steps.
“To be able to live on the peninsula but have access to the water is important if you want to,” said Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon.
“If you’re next to the water and can’t get to it, it doesn’t make sense, so this is a great addition.”
Reardon believes the multimillion-dollar renovation, which was funded by all three levels of government, will help attract more residents.
“They want to know what we have for kids, what we have for night entertainment, what we have for restaurants. Those are things, before people make a decision on where they move to a city, is what they’re asking about,” she added.
Reardon also announced that Buskers would be returning to the city from Aug. 9 to 11 for the first time in several years.
