Americans and allies gathered in Montreal to protest as U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in Friday.

"It's very sad to me. I think we’re seeing something we’ve never seen before as far as what the U.S. always stood for,” said Kerry McElroy,” a native of Chicago who has lived in Canada for seven years.

McElroy said she and other ex-pats and allies have gathered regularly since the election to talk about immigration and help support groups across the border who may be targets of new U.S. policies.

They have also discussed setting policy as ex-pats living in Canada.

“For myself, I do not plan to set foot there as long as he is in office," she said.

McElroy said she thought it was important to show up to the protest on inauguration day as a statement against Trump's new government.

“Today I think is a day to be in history, to say I stood up, and this is where I was. I didn’t stay at home and cry, I didn’t watch it on television, I came out to be around other people who feel the same way,” she said.

A crowd of about 150 gathered at Place-des-Arts Metro at 11 a.m., playing music and hoisting banners against the 45th U.S. president, before walking east along Ste. Catherine St. toward the American consulate on St-Alexandre St.

An effigy of Trump was set on fire in front of the American consulate. One pro-Trump supporter was roughed up before police intervened and escorted him away.
 

Warning about protests

Hours before the protest began, the U.S. Consulate General warned Americans of several anti-Trump demonstrations taking place in the city in the next two days.

In a statement to U.S. citizens, it advised them of the morning rally, as well as one beginning at 6 p.m. at Philips Square.

That second protest of the day began in a peaceful fashion, but did turn violent after organizers told the crowd they did not have be as well behaved as they were earlier in the day.

Protesters walked through traffic on Ste. Catherine St., and then several threw rocks at police and missed -- striking store windows instead.

 

 

The windows of Station 20 were broken, as well as those of the Montreal-based chain American Apparel, before police broke up the demonstration at 7:15 p.m. Eight other windows and a car were tagged with spray paint.

No arrests were made and one police officer was lightly injured by a thrown object. 

Police used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

There is a larger women's march planned for Saturday at 11 a.m., beginning at the Esplanade de la Place des Arts.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” the notice read, advising Americans to “avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.”