 Police march up the street as they clear out demonstrators during the annual anti-police brutality march in Montreal, March 15, 2013. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
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MONTREAL — Police arrested 297 people Friday afternoon in downtown Montreal during the 17th annual anti-police brutality march.
All but 22 were ticketed for breaking municipal bylaws, including protesting while wearing a mask. Police said the rest will face criminal charges including assault, possession of incendiary material and obstructing police and disturbing the peace.
One person was arrested with a bag full of knives and what police said was ammunition.
Police in riot gear chased the 500 or so protesters through downtown streets and launched stun grenades to disperse the crowds.
Two officers were injured. One received a knee in the face by a protester and was transported to hospital.
Four demonstrators also suffered minor injuries before the protest petered out by 7 p.m., police said.
The march was organized by the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality, which claims Montreal police often use excess force and unfairly target marginalized communities.
Last year, 226 people were arrested at the march.
