Villeneuve gets threats following his blast against Quebec protesters
MONTREAL - Former Grand Prix champion Jacques Villeneuve has received threats since blasting Quebec's student movement.
Villeneuve is not providing details but he says he's received some "dangerous" emails.
The messages came after he delivered a harsh and lengthy criticism of the student protests, which he characterized as an international embarrassment.
The comments caused a fire storm. Most Quebec celebrities have lined up behind the protesters but Villeneuve is now their most famous, most virulent critic.
Thousands have been weighing in on social-media sites to either support or castigate him.
But the race-car driver is refusing to back down — despite receiving a torrent of emails that he says were injurious, insulting and dangerous.
He says it's ironic that people who claim to stand for democracy attack him for simply expressing his opinion.
Quebec's student movement, and it supporters, are using the Grand Prix to raise awareness for their fight against higher tuition fees. Close to 40 people were arrested Thursday night as protesters scuffled with police.
Further demonstrations are scheduled throughout the weekend, including a plan to swarm the lone subway line that reaches the race site.
Villeneuve told reporters today that any attempt to block the subway would amount to an act of terrorism.
The race-car driver now has at least one thing in common with the most high-profile Quebec protest leader, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, who says he has has received multiple threats during the four-month conflict.
