The arrest of journalist David Menzies after he attempted to ask questions of Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on the streets of Ontario on Monday, January 8, 2024, sparked online outrage.
The incident, which was captured on video, showed Rebel News journalist David Menzies trying to question Freeland about the Canadian government's decision to exclude the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from its list of designated terrorist entities.
The minister, who was seen walking down the street in the parking lot of a mall in Richmond Hill, Ontario, tried to evade the reporter's questions. During the confrontation, Menezes, who briefly confronted a police officer, was grabbed by the collar, pushed against a wall, and charged with assault before being arrested.
The clip, which was shared by many people and viewed more than a million times, prompted one stunned social media user to say:
“Wow, this is straight out of a spy movie! I can't believe it's on camera!”
Netizens react to the arrest of Canadian journalist David Menzies on camera
A video showing the arrest of Canadian journalist David Menzies surprised social media users, who took to the comments to criticize the Canadian government. Menzies was arrested on Monday while trying to question Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Freeland was reportedly in town with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to mark the fourth anniversary of the Iranian military's downing of Flight PS752, a Ukraine International Airlines plane, killing 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents in 2020.
Menzies, who was waiting for the minister outside the car park of a suburban shopping centre, was arrested while trying to question her about the government's decision to keep the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps off the designated terrorism list.
During his brief interaction with Freeland, Menzies, who could be seen holding his microphone in the parking lot, confronted a police officer who accused him of assault. Before the journalist was arrested, the anonymous officer said:
“Police – you are under arrest for assault. You pushed me, sir.”
Menzies, who denied the allegation, responded:
“I didn't touch anyone. This is a trumped-up assault charge, guys. I didn't come here to cause any trouble. I came here to do my job and now I'm handcuffed. This is your home.” “Canada now, guys. This is the Gestapo taking blackface orders.”
Following the incident, the clip was shared on social media, sparking reactions from many people who criticized the arrest, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who wrote:
“This is the state of press freedom in Canada in 2024.”
Several other people, including government officials, commented on the arrest.
Canada Journalist David Menzies has had previous encounters with police
In response to the outcry, a York Regional Police spokesperson told CBC that Menzies was released after they determined he did not pose a security risk to the finance minister.
According to the post, Minister Freeland has been the target of threats in the past and police routinely monitor her safety.
According to CBC, Menzies has had trouble with the law in the past, including his 2021 arrest by Trudeau's protection detail at an event in Toronto. Menzies was also arrested for allegedly raising anti-LGBTQ questions in 2021 with Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Melissa Lantsman, who is gay.
