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Pro-Palestinian Protesters Denounce Israel-Premier Tech Team at Quebec City Cycling Grand Prix

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A small group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Quebec City to denounce the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team at the city's cycling Grand Prix event. The protesters accused Mayor Bruno Marchand of failing to strongly condemn the alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip and called for him to be voted out in the fall municipal election. They also claimed that IPT's participation in the event was a form of "complicity" and "normalization" of Israel's actions.

Key Takeaways:

  • About 30 protesters gathered along the Quebec City race route to protest the IPT team, questioning why Russia's athletes were banned following the invasion of Ukraine but Israel was allowed to compete.
  • The protesters argued that IPT is a propaganda tool used to polish Israel's image and accused the team of "sportswashing," a term used when an organization uses a sporting event to improve its reputation and cover up misdeeds.
  • The IPT team has seven riders entered in the two races, including Canadians Hugo Houle and Guillaume Boivin.
  • Bikers4Palestine, Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU), and the Divest for Palestine Collective have announced that they will demonstrate at the foot of Mount Royal, near the route the athletes will take.
  • IPT's main sponsor is Sylvan Adams, an Israeli of Quebec origin, who lives in Israel and is estimated to have a fortune of over $1 billion.
  • Premier Tech, a Quebec company, is also a main sponsor of IPT and designs a wide range of products, including automated systems for the manufacturing industry.

Statistics:

  • The IPT team has 7 riders entered in the two races.
  • The estimated fortune of IPT's main sponsor, Sylvan Adams, is over $1 billion.
  • Premier Tech, the other main sponsor of IPT, is headquartered in Rivière-du-Loup and has a wide range of products in its portfolio.

Sources:

  • Marjorie Laclotte-Shehyn, protester and doctoral student
  • Bikers4Palestine
  • Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
  • The Divest for Palestine Collective
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Premier Tech
  • Israel-Premier Tech (IPT)

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