Dozens protest public Islamic prayers in front of Notre-Dame Basilica

Montreal police threatened to arrest reporter Alexa Lavoie earlier this month for filming Islamic prayers during an anti-Israel protest outside the church.

Rebel News
  |   July 20, 2025   |   News   |   2 Comments

 

Dozens of individuals, representing various backgrounds, have assembled outside the Notre-Dame Basilica to express their opposition to the public Islamic prayers occurring in Montreal.

The group called on Mayor Valérie Plante and local law enforcement officials to step in and defend the province’s secular values.

On July 6, Rebel News reporter Alexa Lavoie faced arrest threats from Montreal police for filming Islamic prayers during an anti-Israel protest outside Notre-Dame Basilica.

“We didn't go and follow the protest; we just wanted to capture that prayer,” Alexa explained, noting the incident was newsworthy because of the Quebec government considering a ban on public prayers.

Her coverage was a matter of public interest, though law enforcement claimed otherwise.

Some protesters reacted aggressively to filming by the Rebel reporter, leading police to intervene and accuse Alexa of disrupting prayers.

“A lot of people want to know what is going on with those public prayers because there is no media who dares to come and record what is happening,” she explained. 

Montreal police, Alexa speculated, are concerned with being labelled racist or ‘Islamophobic’ by the protesters following a ruling in a class-action lawsuit.

Please help us protect Alexa and Guillaume from violent Antifa thugs so they can continue reporting fearlessly!

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URGENT: Help Protect Alexa and Guillaume from Antifa intimidation!

After our investigation identified the alleged church smoke-bomber and exposed his shocking links to Antifa inside Canada’s defence establishment, our reporter Alexa Lavoie has faced escalating harassment while doing her job in the field.

Alexa's cameraman, Guillaume Roy, has also been targeted.

We refuse to be bullied into silence — but we do need your help to keep Alexa and Guillaume safe.

Your donation will fund urgently needed security measures for Alexa and Guillaume (including professional risk assessment, monitored alarms, security cameras, reinforced entry points, lighting, car dashcams, and protective equipment) as well as additional private security guards to accompany Alexa and Guillaume on high-risk assignments.

Every contribution — whether $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can — goes directly to safeguarding our journalists so they can continue reporting.

If the government won’t protect reporters from extremist intimidation, we will — with your support.

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  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2025-07-21 19:46:46 -0400
    Imagine a revival meeting in front of a mosque. That’s how offensive having Muslim prayers in front of a church is.
  • Robert Pariseau
    commented 2025-07-21 09:21:45 -0400
    Just so long as it isn’t against the federal government.