Montreal bridge reopens after riot police move in

Thursday’s student protest is latest in a series of escalating demonstrations

Montreal’s Jacques Cartier Bridge has reopened after police in riot gear moved in to disperse thousands of student protesters who had shut down the structure for about 20 minutes Thursday afternoon at the peak of rush hour.

Police used pepper spray to push back students after warning them to leave the bridge, a major artery heading to Montreal’s South Shore.

Police later rounded up protesters in Berri Square, thought arrests could not be confirmed.

The students initially gathered in downtown Montreal for a march against the Quebec government’s proposed hikes to tuition fees.

Student groups said the march would be peaceful as it made its way from Phillips Square to the expected destination near the intersection of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis streets.

Police, including officers on horseback, monitored the demonstration as it got underway just after 1 p.m.

There were some confrontations as riot police pushed protesters away from the bridge, but there was no confirmation of arrests.

The protest was expected to be the largest demonstration yet, as more than 40,000 post-secondary students from across the province have joined an unlimited general strike… Read More