Dozens arrested at Montreal protest

Hundreds of protesters gathered for the march which began around 5 p.m. outside Pie-IX Metro station in the citys east end. Some could be seen wearing gas masks and bandanas covering their faces.

Ahead of the march, organizers made an appeal for calm from both demonstrators and police.

But, as demonstrators wound their way through the streets of the citys Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district several cars, including police cruisers, were damaged, said police.

A pickup truck full of construction material was also set on fire, according to reports.

Police finally intervened about an hour and a half after the march began, handcuffing protesters and herding them onto Montreal Transport Corporation buses.

The protesters were expected to face charges including unlawful assembly and disturbing the peace.

This year marked the 14th annual protest and as during previous years, organizers refused to disclose their planned route to police.

Theprotest has developed a reputation for violence and vandalism, with 221 people arrested last year. Most of those arrested were released with fines, but some were charged with mischief, theft and possession of weapons.

Denouncing 'social cleansing'

Sophie Sncal, spokeswoman for the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality, which organized the march, said the departure point is symbolic.

With nowhere else to go, she said many have moved into neighbouring areas such as Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. This year, organizers said they also expected to face additional pressure from police after 11 police cars were vandalized overnight Friday at a police station in the citys St. Henri district.

The vandals also spray-painted messages in English on the building, said police, who speculated that there may have been a connection between the vandalism and Mondays march against police brutality.

Before the protest, police had asked members ofthe public to remove loose rocks and other debris, which could potentially be used as projectiles, from around their homes and businesses.