In what are becoming increasingly tense confrontations between protesters and the authorities, police used stun grenades and tear gas to break up an anti-austerity protest in downtown Montreal Friday night

Thousands of people took part in the march that began at Emilie Gamelin Park. Despite not submitting an itinerary beforehand, a requirement under a municipal bylaw, Montreal police said they would let the protesters demonstrate if they don’t break any laws and if they walked in the same direction as traffic.

The protest began peacefully and some protesters were even seen talking to police as the march got underway. It was when they reached St. Catherine St. W in front of The Bay and began heading west, against traffic, that police intervened.

Police declared the protest illegal about an hour after it started and ordered the crowd to disperse, then proceeded to use tear gas and stun grenades to control protesters.

The group continued, eventually making their way to the corner of Rene Levesque Blvd. and Peel St., where a group of police officers were waiting for them.

Police say one person was arrested and that overall it was a “relatively peaceful” demonstration.

Protesters, however, were upset with the tactics police used, saying that it is the democratic right to protest and have their views be heard.

The protest is one of many aiming to denounce what have been referred to as the Couillard government’s austerity measures.

Earlier Friday, around 100 demonstrators stormed into UQAM, many in masks, to protest the threatened expulsion of nine students who were involved in some disruptive demonstrations on campus dating back to 2012.

Police were on hand and arrested one protestor who is facing an assault charge.

And Thursday, a protester was hit with a projectile during a demonstration outside the National Assembly.

The woman, 18-year-old Naomi Trudeau-Tremblay, says she is considering taking legal action against Quebec City police.

That police force has declined to comment on the issue.

A province-wide demonstration is planned for Thursday, April 2.