Eight Arrested in Montreal Protest

W460

Canadian police arrested eight people late Wednesday as they broke up a protest against the rising cost of education and restrictions on demonstrations, officials said.

About 10,000 people, many banging pots and pans, took part in the march in the central of Montreal on the opening day of campaigning for legislative elections, witnesses said.

Police declared the demonstration illegal because no itinerary had been submitted to the authorities beforehand.

After ordering the crowd to disperse, officers moved in at around 11:00 pm (03:00 GMT) and arrested eight people, two of them for throwing projectiles at the police, officials said.

Participants said it was the 100th such demonstration since the start of student protests in February over rising university tuition costs.

The issues raised are expected to figure prominently in the campaign for the September 4 legislative elections. The main opposition Parti Quebecois supports the students.

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