Former coffee chain franchisee charged with making threats at Montreal pro-Palestinian protest
Posted April 29, 2025 12:49 pm.
A former Second Cup franchisee who allegedly made hateful and antisemitic comments, including a Nazi salute, during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in downtown Montreal in November has been charged with uttering threats.
Mai Abdulhadi is facing three separate charges of uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm, according to a charge sheet from the Montreal crown prosecutor’s office.
BACKGROUND: Second Cup dumps Jewish General Hospital franchisee over video with ‘hateful remarks’
It relates to alleged events during the Nov. 21, 2024, demonstration outside Concordia University’s downtown campus.
Video shot during the rally showed a woman walking around saying the “final solution is coming your way” — wording used to describe a Nazi plan to eliminate Jews in Europe during World War II.
Another video also shows what appears to be the same woman making a Nazi salute.
In the days that followed, Second Cup Canada cut ties with Abdulhadi, who was a franchisee operating at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. She was allegedly identified in the videos by some of her employees.
The company said at the time that the woman’s alleged actions breached the franchise agreement, as well as inclusion and community values held by the chain.
–With files from The Canadian Press
