A man who turned up to a protest wearing blackface in Canada at the weekend has been arrested, police confirmed.
The man was arrested at a Black Lives Matter protest in Toronto on Saturday (local time).
Videos of the man were later shared online which sparked outrage as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer in the US, continued throughout the world.
In one video, the man is asked by a reporter, "What are you doing here?" While others can be heard shouting, "You've got to go". Before things escalate further, a police officer arrives on a bike.
Police confirmed to Global News the man was arrested but no charges have been laid and "inquiries continue".
"People were shocked realising what was happening and moved in," said reporter Lucas Meyer, who shared a video of the man on Twitter. "He said it was freedom of speech as he was taken away.
"The man was sprayed with water before being taken away by police."
Global News was initially told the man was charged with breach of peace but later confirmed this was incorrect. The incident has caused outrage as hundreds took to social media to express their disgust.
"What was this idiot trying to prove? Clearly just trying to agitate," one person said.
"He wanted to turn a peaceful protest violent," another wrote.
The issue of blackface made headlines in Canada and throughout the world last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was hammered when several images were released showing him in blackface, threatening to derail his election campaign.
In September, pictures emerged showing him in brown makeup at a 2001 "Arabian Nights" party when he was a 29-year-old teacher. He held a hasty press conference on his plane and apologised.
The scandal did not stop Trudeau from being re-elected in October.
Reuters / Newshub.
