Students and police clash during Montreal protest over living costs

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Crowd

1,000s

brought thousands into the city's downtown¹²

Arrests / detentions

3

two people were arrested for armed assault on a police officer and another was arrested for assault on a police officer²

The full story

Thousands of students gathered in downtown Montreal for a demonstration called by the Coalition de résistance pour l'unité étudiante syndicale (CRUES) to protest rising education, food, and housing costs. The march started near Square Victoria and turned chaotic as clashes erupted with police officers in riot gear near Viger and St-Alexandre streets. According to police, protesters hurled rocks and projectiles at officers, leading authorities to deploy tear gas and flash-bang devices to disperse the crowds. Windows were broken around Square Victoria and Old Montreal. Quebec Higher Education Minister Elsie Lefebvre condemned the acts of violence and vandalism while acknowledging the right to protest. Police reported three arrests, including two for armed assault on a police officer and one for assault on a police officer, along with several incidents of property mischief.

Timeline

1. Nov 13

   Montreal police deployed tear gas and flash-bangs and reported three arrests for assaults on officers.¹²

2. Nov 13

   Clashes broke out near Viger and St-Alexandre streets after projectiles were allegedly thrown at officers in riot gear.¹²

3. Nov 13

   A student demonstration began around 2 p.m. near Square Victoria, bringing thousands into downtown Montreal.¹²