Protesters launched smoke bombs at police officers during a protest in Montreal for May Day Monday night.

"Historically, May Day was actually organized by immigrant workers in Chicago in 1886, so it's been a day where immigrants and migrants come together in solidarity with other parts of society and highlight those issues they face," said demonstrator Mustafa Henaway.

Held annually in cities around the world in support of workers' rights, the Montreal May Day event began in two places: at Phillips Square and Frontenac Metro. The two separate protests joined at about 7:15 p.m.

Demonstrators were fighting to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour – the minimum wage climbed on May 1 by 50 cents to $11.25 per hour.

"For those people who are here and working, we need to bump up the minimum wage, we need to tax corporations and fundamentally change society," said demonstrator Jaggi Singh. "The problem is capitalism, colonialism, racism."

Surete du Quebec officers, some in riot gear, kept a close eye on the annual protest, organized by anti-capitalist group CLAC. One person was arrested by police of the hundreds there to rally. He may face charges of armed assault on a police officer.

A number of storefronts were also vandalized and car windows were smashed.

Montreal police said 'Acts of vandalism have been committed on businesses and cars,' adding that they gave notice to protesters that everyone must obey the laws and bylaws.

No one was injured.