Protesters at York University tried to shout down George Galloway, a U.K. firebrand once barred from Canada, as the former British MP kicked off a 10-city Canadian tour.
A large group holding placards and waving the flag of Israel chanted and shouted in the foyer of a campus auditorium as Galloway, a pro-Palestinian politician previously denied entry to Canada for supporting Hamas, spoke to a capacity crowd of several hundred.
York University security guards stood among the protesters, while Toronto police guarded the auditorium entrance.
"Go away Galloway," read one placard. "No intimidation on my campus," read another.
Galloway, who hinted he would seek a return to parliament in next year's British election, was denied entry into Canada last year after donating $40,000 to the Palestinian group Hamas. Canada considers Hamas a terrorist organization.
He received clearance by immigration officials to travel to Canada earlier this year, after a Federal Court criticized the office of Immigration Minister Jason Kenny for attempting to bar Galloway based on political reasons.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted 18 months ago," Galloway began, to laughter, before thanking Kenney for the publicity.
Galloway spoke about Ottawa's attempts to ban him as well as the political situation in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Galloway declared the appearance a success late Tuesday night.
"The cheers from the 700 at Toronto's York Uni (sic) drowned and washed out the murmur from the Zionist protesters. A great night," Galloway posted on Twitter shortly before midnight.
Galloway will speak at the Universite du Quebec au Montreal on Wednesday, before heading on to appearances in Halifax, Hamilton, Vancouver, Yellowknife, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa.
With files from The Canadian Press
