More than 100 arrests in Montreal May Day riot - Action News
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Montreal

More than 100 arrests in Montreal May Day riot

A May Day rally in downtown Montreal turned ugly Tuesday evening when police moved in to break up a protest of several thousand "anti-capitalist" demonstrators, arresting more than 100 people.

2,000 people march through the streets

Anti-capitalist protesters march in downtown Montreal on May Day.

Policearrested more than 100 peoplein downtown Montreal on Tuesday night, in an ugly clash with protesters many dressed in black and some with bandanas over their faces marching under the banner of "anti-capitalism."

A May Dayrally began peacefully at around 5 p.m. ET, but it disintegrated into mayhem and violence within an hour, as at least2,000 people marched through the streets.

Many wore the small red square that represents Quebec's student movement against tuition fee hikes, although this rally was organized not by students but by a group known as CLAC or the Anti-Capitalist Convergence of Montreal a group known for its confrontations with police.

Just after 6 p.m. ET, Montreal police declared the march illegal, releasing sound grenades and chemical irritants into the crowd assome protesters hurled rocks and other objects, including molotov cocktails, at police cars.

Protesters dispersed briefly, but then regrouped.

A police car is spattered with paint during Tuesday night's May Day riot in downtown Montreal.

Police saidat 10 p.m. ET Tuesday that 34peoplehad beenarrested for criminal acts, including mischief and assault, and another 75 detainedfor breaking municipal by-laws when they refused to disperse on police orders.

Police said those arrested will appear in court Wednesday.

A parallel May Day rally organized by union activists took place Tuesday evening in Molson Park in the Montreal district of Rosemont. Itwas also attended by many striking students but ended without incident.

Theanti-capitalist protestcontinued with a heavy police presence, even as students gathered nearbyat 8:30p.m.ET at milie-Gamelin Park for aneighth night rally another demonstration against planned tuition fee hikes.