MONTREAL – A group of about 200 demonstrators moved randomly through Montreal’s downtown core on Thursday morning, running through traffic, throwing garbage cans and blocking the entrance to a bank for several minutes before police intervened.
The protest, linked to the student uprising against an impending tuition fee increase in the province, began at about 7 a.m. at Phillips Square.
The demonstrators quickly broke into two groups, one of which moved east, blocking several intersections and halting traffic as protesters moved toward Victoria Square and then turned north.
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It was unclear what happened to the second group, but several dozen people were soon spotted blocking the entrance to the 1010 Sherbrooke St. W. branch of the CIBC.
Police intervened about 8:30 a.m., spraying what appeared to be smoke or a chemical irritant into the crowd.
The protesters then moved up Metcalfe St. Some were seen breaking garbage cans and tossing them into the intersection at Peel and Ste. Catherine Sts.
Most Montrealers making their way to work simply navigated around the unfolding bedlam.
The protest had ended by 8:50 a.m.
Two people were arrested, said Montreal police Constable Daniel Fortier.
The demonstration had been advertised on Facebook this week, with organizers dubbing it “Shutdown Centre-Ville.”
The Association facultaire étudiante des sciences humaines de l’UQÀM (AFESH-UQÀM) was listed as the group organizing the event.
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