Hundreds of union members, students, workers and activists gathered Sunday to mark International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day. An early afternoon march was peaceful as a second demonstration involved police clashes.

The incidents occurred about one hour into the second demonstration and prompted police to fire off canisters of tear gas and warn protesters to disperse.

Police reported about 10 arrests and one minor injury.

The protest was held by the anti-capitalist group known as CLAC, and turned ugly as windows were smashed and smokebombs were  set off on Ste. Catherine St. at Bishop St.

Police ordered protesters to disperse.



In a statement, the group said it wanted “to disrupt commercial activity dominated by the local bourgeoisie.”

The protest began from two downtown locations at 3 p.m.: McGill’s Roddick Gates and Phillips Square. They split off into several groups and marched to various locations around the city before uniting on Ste. Catherine St. to march in solidarity.



CLAC said the theme of the event is to fight “against imperialism, racism, borders and colonialism together to destroy capitalism.”




Demonstrations took place in Montreal and Quebec City, as well as in cities across Canada and internationally.

The first Montreal event began at 1 p.m. at La Fontaine Park. Some demonstrators marched from there to Jeanne-Mance Park, where there were short speeches before the crowed peacefully dispersed.

Others walked to different locations throughout the city.

May Day is internationally recognized as a day to assert the rights of workers. In Quebec, activists say the gatherings specifically denounced the Liberal government’s measures.

"Austerity is toxic for the economy. It slows down the economies and increases inequalities between the people," said Dominique Daigneault of the May 1st Coalition.

Groups met with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard Friday, where they showed disagreement, in particular, with the minimum wage increase of 20 cents per hour to $10.75. Anti-poverty and workers’ rights groups want the minimum wage to go up to $15 per hour by 2022. They also said they want to see an increase in social assistance.

The Coalition for Social Justice is calling for a better distribution of wealth, and a massive reinvestment in community action.



With files from La Presse Canadienne