MAY 2nd, 2025 – A protest organized by “pro-palestinian” activists targeted École Yaldei School, a private school in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough that serves children aged 4 to 16 with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. The demonstration, which took place outside the school’s building at 5170 Van Horne Avenue, has drawn widespread condemnation from the Jewish, Montreal, and Canadian communities for its insensitivity and potential to cause long-lasting psychological harm to vulnerable children. The inaction of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) during the event has further fueled outrage, with critics accusing the police of prioritizing the protesters’ rights over the well-being of the children inside.
Yaldei School, part of the Donald Berman Yaldei Developmental Center, provides specialized education to students with intellectual challenges, many of whom are on the autism spectrum and rely on a calm, structured environment to manage sensory sensitivities. The school, funded by provincial grants, fundraising efforts, and by the Jewish community, was targeted by activists who reportedly chanted slogans including “all the Zionists are racist,” apparently oblivious to the irony of their message. The protest’s proximity to the school’s entrance exacerbated the distress of the children, who are particularly vulnerable to environmental disruptions such as loud noises and crowds.
The school’s director repeatedly pleaded with SPVM officers to intervene, telling them that the children inside were terrified, however, according to social media posts, the police allowed the demonstrators to remain close to the building and took no action to disperse them. “The jihadist terrorists went to a Montreal center for children with Austism [sic] and shouted ‘all the Zionists are racist’. A school with children who suffer from sensory issues and other disabilities. This is happening in Canada?” wrote @Tafsikorg, capturing the shock and disbelief of many observers.
Critics have accused the SPVM of appearing more concerned with protecting the protesters than safeguarding the psychological wellbeing of the children inside the school. The police’s inaction is particularly contentious given the well-documented sensitivity of children with autism to loud and chaotic environments, which can lead to significant distress and long-term emotional consequences. “How is a ‘protest’ at a school for special needs children in a Jewish district in Montreal, Canada allowed? Canadian police & authorities are allowing this,” wrote @BenAnusim1492, tagging several politicians and calling for action.
The protest has also raised questions about the SPVM’s enforcement of existing legal protections. A temporary injunction granted in March 2024 prohibits protests within 50 meters of certain Jewish community buildings in Montreal, including schools, following earlier demonstrations targeting Jewish institutions. While it is unclear whether this injunction specifically applies to Yaldei, the police’s failure to enforce any buffer zone has drawn sharp criticism.
The protest received significant attention on social media, with users expressing disgust and calling for greater scrutiny of the activists’ actions. However, legacy media outlets have remained silent on the incident, a fact noted by several X users who questioned why such a disturbing event had not garnered broader coverage. “Are Canadians ok with a ‘protest’ at a school for special needs children in a Jewish area of Montreal? Do politicians even care?” asked @BenAnusim1492.
The targeting of Yaldei follows a pattern of protests against Jewish-affiliated institutions in Montreal since islamic terrorists attacked Israeli civilians on October 7th, 2023, deliberately targeting the men, women, the elderly, children, and even babies. Previous incidents, including gunfire at Jewish schools and a firebombing at a synagogue, have heightened tensions and led to calls for stronger measures against antisemitic and pro-terrorist activities. The SPVM has faced ongoing criticism for its handling of such protests, with some accusing the police of failing to enforce laws against hate speech and unlawful assembly.
As of May 3, 2025, Canadians continue to demand answers from the SPVM and elected officials about why the protest was permitted so close to a vulnerable population and what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The silence from authorities and mainstream media has only amplified calls for accountability, with many describing the event as a new low in the escalating wave of antisemitic activism in Canada.
604News media inquiries to the SPVM and the office of Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, whose riding includes Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, went unanswered by press time. This article will be updated if responses are received.
