Nearly 200 demonstrators congregated near the track of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal on Sunday to voice their opposition to the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team’s participation in the event. Palestinian flags were waved as the protesters chanted slogans like “Boycott the Grand Prix, boycott IPT” and “solidarity with Palestine” accompanied by rhythmic drum beats.
The protest took place at the base of Mount Royal on Avenue du Parc, with a noticeable police presence including officers on foot, bicycles, and horseback. Montreal police spokesperson Manuel Couture confirmed the arrest of seven individuals during the demonstration, primarily for offenses such as obstructing police operations, assaulting an officer, and general assault.
Despite four instances of graffiti-related mischief, no arrests were made in relation to those incidents. The demonstration was organized by groups like Cyclists for Palestine, Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU), and Divest for Palestine, who called on citizens to mobilize and urged event organizers and sponsors to exclude the Israel-Premier Tech team, accusing them of complicity in genocide.
The organizations labeled Israel-Premier Tech as complicit with a genocidal entity and accused them of engaging in “sportswashing,” a term denoting the use of sports to enhance reputation and conceal wrongdoings. Safa Chebbi, a spokesperson for Divest For Palestine, emphasized their refusal to host a team that whitewashes an ongoing genocide through sports.
The groups underlined that the protest was a final resort after launching a petition, publishing an open letter, and appealing to municipal authorities. They criticized the lack of action from governments and public institutions, contrasting it with swift responses to other international issues.
Outside the event’s official hotel, a significant number of protestors gathered on Saturday night, while a smaller group demonstrated at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec in Quebec City on Friday. Protests against Israel-Premier Tech have also occurred at the Spanish Vuelta recently, prompting the team to remove any Israel references from their jerseys.
In Montreal, American cyclist Brandon McNulty emerged victorious, with Israel-Premier Tech’s co-owner Sylvan Adams describing the team as ambassadors for Israel. However, in response to protests, the team now refers to itself simply as a professional cycling team. Canadian rider Pier-Andre Cote is part of the team, alongside other Canadian cyclists like Michael Woods, Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin, Riley Pickrell, and Derek Gee, who is facing a contract dispute with the team. Former Canadian star Steve Bauer manages the team.
The top Canadian finisher at the event was Houle, who secured the 44th position. Israel-Premier Tech’s main sponsor, Premier Tech, is located in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec.