OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday weighed in on the escalating protests in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, who died following an encounter with police.
Trudeau took a moment at the end of his daily press briefing to acknowledge the situation south of the border where violent demonstrations wage for a third day in recognition of police brutality against black Americans.
"Many Canadians of diverse backgrounds are watching like all Canadians are, the news out of the United States, with shock and with horror. Anti-black racism, racism is real. It鈥檚 in the United States, but it鈥檚 also in Canada," he said.
Floyd, arrested for alleged forgery, was pinned down by an officer鈥檚 knee and later died in police custody. The arrest was captured on video.
Protesters blocking traffic, smashing vehicles and setting fire to buildings have been met by police dressed in riot gear, firing tear gas and rubber bullets. The National Guard has also moved in to Minneapolis.
Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, and New York have also seen large groups amass in protest of Floyd鈥檚 death.
Four officers involved in the arrest have been fired by the Minneapolis Police Department and a federal investigation is underway to determine whether criminal charges should be laid. The officer who knelt on Floyd鈥檚 neck was taken into custody on Friday.
Trudeau called on Canadians to "stand together" and "stand up against" anti-black racism.
"We have work to do as well in Canada in our systems that we need to work forward on and I call on all Canadians, whether it鈥檚 anti-black racism or anti-Asian racism or racism and discrimination of any time, to stand together in solidarity," he said.
During the federal election campaign last fall, news broke that the prime minster had donned blackface and brownface in several occasions in his past, including as a teacher. He has since apologized, acknowledging his behaviour was 鈥渞acist,鈥� and has said he has lots of learning to do about his own white privilege.
