Police made 13 arrests Friday night in Montreal during a protest by a group claiming to represent a coalition of activist, labour, and community organizations as part of International Workers’ Day activities.
The demonstrators had gathered at 6:00 p.m. at Victoria Square “in response to the dominant political discourse and the flood of anti-union, anti-immigrant, racist, transphobic, anti-feminist, and freedom-destroying bills plaguing all levels of government and eroding the social safety net,” according to a press release issued a few hours earlier.
“The demonstrators began a march through the streets of downtown, all under the supervision of several (Montreal police) units. During the march, targeted arrests took place when protesters allegedly threw projectiles at police officers and also when protesters allegedly threw a pyrotechnic device at bystanders,” said Manuel Couture, spokesperson for Montreal police (SPVM).
The situation escalated around 8:30 p.m. as protesters were at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Jeanne-Mance Streets, and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“Several projectiles were reportedly thrown at police officers, and some protesters allegedly placed trash cans to block the officers’ advance. Dispersal tactics were then employed. Chemical irritants were used. A few minutes later, all the protesters had left the scene,” according to Couture.
The preliminary report released around 9:15 p.m. on Friday noted 13 arrests for various offenses, including armed assault on police officers.
The demonstration was organized in particular by the Convergence des luttes anticapitalistes (CLAC), whose presence was confirmed by police, and student groups.
Not far away, thousands of fans had gathered around the Bell Centre to watch Game 6 of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite the Canadiens’ heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss, the SPVM reported “no disturbances.”
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
