A demonstration to denounce the dismantling of camps in Montreal degenerated Thursday evening, after a scuffle between demonstrators and police.
The demonstration, which began peacefully at Philips Square around 8:30 p.m., degenerated around 9:30 p.m. when an altercation broke out between demonstrators and officers from the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) in riot gear.
The SPVM used irritant gas and pepper spray to disperse the protesters.
The demonstration aimed to denounce the dismantling of encampments that have taken place in Montreal, including the pro-Palestinian encampment that occupied the McGill University campus for two months.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Police in riot gear dispersed the protesters.
“The police pepper-sprayed protesters because they were holding their banner too close to them,” said Eric, a protester who witnessed the altercation up close. The Concordia University student, who spoke to him after the demonstration was broken up, said he was “angry, but not surprised” by how the evening turned out.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The demonstration began peacefully, according to Eric, who marched with the protesters.
Eric, however, said that “police repression” will not discourage protesters. “The police do not realize that every time they respond to peaceful protests with violence, it makes people even angrier,” he added.
Protest organizers had prepared protesters for tensions to rise with social media posts urging them to wear masks and goggles.