FUCK THEM

Of course there are going to be cowardly responses to the recent anti-police brutality protests in Montreal. And by responses, I'm talking about morons who will post stupid comments on  the sites of various newspaper and television agencies.  Let those idiots hide behind their computer screens while they bravely support the cops. Be that as it may, this protest was a reaction to heavy handed police activity in that city, in conjunction with the issues of homelessness, poverty, unemployment, and the fact that school is only an option for people who have access to money. This shit will continue. And obviously, I support the protesters. Read...

Police arrest 226 in Montreal anti-brutality protest

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A man is arrested during an anti police brutality demo in Montreal, Tuesday, March 15, 2011. (Graham Hughes / The CANADIAN PRESS)

View larger image A demonstrator is arrested during a march against police brutality, Thursday, March 15, 2012 in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)   View larger image A demonstrator is handcuffed after being arrested during a march against police brutality Thursday, March 15, 2012 in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Updated: Fri Mar. 16 2012 20:59:10

CTVNews.ca Staff

Storefronts were vandalized, police had projectiles hurled at them and more than 200 people were arrested Thursday night during a protest against police brutality in downtown Montreal.

Two police cruisers were also damaged in the mayhem, including one that was flipped over by protesters and trashed.

"Police tell us there were 226 arrests, four people have been detained and among them is a minor," CTV Montreal's Camille Ross said Friday.

Rowdy protesters were chanting that they owned the streets, while rampaging through the city's core damaging several businesses, she said.

Seven police officers were injured in the melee, while two protesters also suffered minor injuries.

Police used "chemical irritants" to eventually subdue the crowd although that was a tactic they were trying to avoid, she said.

Officers said many of the protesters were young and that they could face multiple charges including weapons offences.

Montreal Police Chief Marc Parent said it was difficult situation for his officers at the scene because it took an extended amount of time to bring the crowd under control. Parent noted that officers were also loaded down by heavy riot equipment.

"You have to make sure that you are professional and you can adjust to the crowd. We had seven different groups running around and it was very hard for us to adjust for that," he said.

Parent said 36 people were detained in isolated arrests, while 190 were removed in a mass arrest at a downtown street corner.

Police took video during the chaos and may use some of it to identify additional suspects.