Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) was not punched in the face by a demonstrator at a protest about gender ideology in Ottawa despite saying he was. .“This video of MPP Joel Harden was recorded on June 9, 2023, at approximately 12:07 PM,” said Canadian independent journalist Caryma Sa’d in a tweet. .The video shows Harden tilting a megaphone up, turning to the side as he shouts into it. A metal part of the megaphone can be seen sliding up against his cheek, cutting it. .Harden had said protestors opposing gender ideology were punching people in the face. .“But I’ll take a punch for queer and trans youth any day,” he said. .Harden responded to the accusation by saying he “broke up several altercations or near altercations that got started by anti-trans protesters.”.On one of these occasions, a woman was grabbing another one by the hair. .“I put my body between them and separated them,” he said. .After separating them, he said he looked over his shoulder and was punched. He was holding a megaphone against his face. .He alleged the blow glanced off the megaphone, and his face was cut. The woman left, and the altercation ended. .He said he does not want the woman to be charged. Rather, he wants to talk to her about why she needed to be violent and protest outside schools. .Protest organizer Billboard Chris said no one witnessed the assault despite hundreds of people having cameras. .“Mystery solved,” said Billboard Chris. .“He scratched himself with his megaphone.” .He acknowledged Harden is an NDP member. He called the NDP “rabid trans activists and liars.”.Billboard Chris concluded by calling Harden Jussie Harden — a portmanteau with American actor Jussie Smollett. Smollett had faked a hate crime against himself to try to improve his career. .A group of concerned parents in Ottawa expressed their dissatisfaction with gender ideology at a protest on Friday. .READ MORE: WATCH: Muslim children in Ottawa stomp of Pride flags.A few Muslim children were spotted stomping on Pride flags. .“The Arab community is sending a message I believe to the woke that they are not accepting of this ladies and gentlemen,” said Canadian comedic journalist the Pleb. .The Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO) and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said in November politicians such as Harden who engage in repeated antisemitic behaviour should be sanctioned. .READ MORE: Canadian Jewish organizations call for antisemitic politicians to be removed.“Actions have consequences,” said JFO President and CEO Andrea Freedman and CIJA Vice President, Government Relations David Cooper. .These comments were made after it was discovered Harden voiced what Freedman and Cooper claimed are antisemitic remarks in an interview with the Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine in 2021.
