SHOCKING: Threatened with arrest for covering Islamic public prayers

A troubling pattern is emerging in Montreal: journalists attempting to document public demonstrations and religious gatherings are facing police intimidation — while disruptive protesters are left untouched.

Alexandra Lavoie
  |   July 10, 2025   |   News Analysis   |   6 Comments

On Sunday, myself and Rebel News videographer Guillaume Roy were at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica to cover yet another public prayer organized in conjunction with anti-Israel demonstrations. Despite standing at a respectful distance and waiting for the group to arrive, we were soon surrounded by participants who attempted to obstruct filming using flags, signs, and other objects.

Rather than intervening against those blocking us, Montreal police turned their attention to me, physically preventing me from recording and attempting to remove me from the area. Officers said to “let them pray” and accused me of “creating an event,” despite clear video evidence that we were not provoking or interfering with the gathering, only trying to record the public prayer demonstration.

This isn’t an isolated case. Independent journalist Natasha Graham was violently arrested in a similar context while filming an anti-Israel protest. Her arrest occurred in front of demonstrators who applauded as she was taken away. She now faces two criminal charges: obstructing and assaulting a police officer.

The rise in hate-fueled protests and public prayers across Montreal since October 7, 2023, has sparked debate over the place of religion in public spaces. Premier François Legault has even proposed a bill to ban all public prayers — regardless of religion — in response to the growing tensions.

While this law remains under consideration, the selective enforcement already at play is causing alarm. The question now is: why are journalists being threatened or arrested for doing their jobs, while disruptive activists face little to no consequences?

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

Latest News

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.

Amount
$
Donation frequency
DONATE

Alexandra Lavoie

Quebec based Journalist

Alexa graduated with a degree in biology from Laval University. Throughout her many travels, she has seen political instability as well as corruption. While she witnessed social disorder on a daily basis, she has always been a defender of society’s most vulnerable. She’s been around the world several times, and now joins Rebel News to shed light on today’s biggest stories.

Featured Stories

COMMENTS

Showing 6 Comments

Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.
  • Derek Wade
    commented 2025-07-25 10:58:39 -0400
    Montreal Police are useless to real Canadians. They should at least push away the muslims in her personal space as she was working at a respectable distance. This police force has a history of supporting the wrong side at protests.
    These immigrants should be deported.
  • Jerrold Lundgard
    commented 2025-07-11 06:09:23 -0400
    Why do police not deal with a masked man threatening and assaulting a woman with a weapon (flag on s stick)?
    Why is a man with a mask waving the flag of a foreign nation on Canadian city treats?
  • Jerrold Lundgard
    commented 2025-07-11 06:09:20 -0400
    Why do police not deal with a masked man threatening and assaulting a woman with a weapon (flag on s stick)?
    Why is a man with a mask waving the flag of a foreign nation on Canadian city treats?
  • James Frost
    followed this page 2025-07-10 20:59:54 -0400
  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2025-07-10 19:27:14 -0400
    Imagine all the arrests that would happen if Christians had a revival service in front of a mosque. After all, those deluded tools of Satan need to hear the hope of guaranteed salvation through Christ. And banning all public prayer will work against Christians and Jews. It’s the way of the state to ban things because a few idiots abused those things.
  • George Boychuk
    commented 2025-07-10 19:18:12 -0400
    These animals are clearly taking over and are more emboldened each day
  • Peter Wrenshall
    commented 2025-07-10 18:41:02 -0400
    Praying in front of the Notre Dame Basilica is an Islamic dominance gesture, with a precedent that goes back 1400 years from when the Muslim armies began their armed conquest of Christian lands. No matter how many mosques there are in Montreal, the existence of Montreal’s most prominent centre of Christian worship of worship is intolerable. Short of being able to demolish the Basilica these very traditional Muslims have resorted to mocking its presence.
  • rob conley
    followed this page 2025-07-10 17:44:22 -0400