Canada-US border faces counter-rallies over asylum seekers
Quebec/Ottawa, May 19 (IBNS): Two protest rallies competing with each other were held at a major Quebec-New York border crossing on Saturday, close to where thousands of asylum seekers had been illegally crossing into Canada in recent months, media reports said.
Demonstrations at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, border took place under police presence, which ensured the two sides were kept apart.
The Liberal government’s handling of illegal immigration was denounced during the rally organized by far-right groups, including Storm Alliance, a self-described “ultranationalist” group.
“I’m against illegal immigration, I’m against the Trudeau government,” said Mike Noble, a construction worker who made the trip from Ottawa for the protest.
Counter-protesters from groups including Solidarity Across Borders staged their own demonstration to show refugee claimants they are welcome in the country.
The rallies led to disruptions at the border crossing during the busy holiday weekend.
For more than two hours Saturday afternoon the crossing was closed.
Quebec provincial police also temporarily blocked off Highway 15 in both directions near the U.S. border.
The border had earlier also seen the rallies between these two sides, including last year on Canada Day.
Reportedly more than 7,600 people have entered Canada outside official border crossings so far this year.
The bulk of those have crossed in Quebec at Roxham Road.
Earlier Saturday, asylum seekers were shown support by a group of residents gathered at an event close to Roxham Road.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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