A lively downtown demonstration aimed at denouncing austerity and police brutality proceeded peacefully, resulting in no arrests or ticketing Monday evening.
The crowd of protesters braved windy and wet conditions at 8 p.m. outside the Berri metro in order to take part in what a polite translation of the protest title on its Facebook page might read as a "darn big evening protest because we're angry." ("Osti de grosse manif de soir - Parce qu'on est en tabarnak.") The organizer of the protest was listed only as La Manifesteuse.
Roughly 1,000 protesters marched swiftly up the Main under close police watch. Some sang,"If you don't like the police clap your hands," and "Cry louder so we cannot be ignored." They proceeded onto other city streets, including Park Ave. without incident.
Police said that one demonstrator was intercepted at the start of the march but they did not say why. They reported no other incidents.
Much chanting in English. Marching up St Laurent. Maybe 1000 strong or more..@ctvmontreal https://t.co/2PkhIo7ucq
— Cindy Sherwin (@CSherwinCTV) March 31, 2015
Accommodating crowd. They tried to turn, police guided them back to St Laurent. No trouble. Laurier now.@CTVMontreal pic.twitter.com/IWSYRWSEsL
— Cindy Sherwin (@CSherwinCTV) March 31, 2015
"If you don't like the police, clap your hands" :'D RT @EugeniaChr: Protest on St.Laurent #manifencours pic.twitter.com/EH3HMSRqMY
— Myriame Navi Pilgrim (@MllePilgrim) March 31, 2015