Students in Montreal protesting sharp tuition increases were attacked by police on April 20, delaying a speech by Quebec’s premier, Jean Charest, at a symposium on northern development. Police fired tear gas, concussion grenades and rubber bullets at the demonstrators, and 17 arrests were reported. Student protests began two months ago after the government proposed a 75 percent increase in tuition over five years.
The protest was one of several militant actions that have rocked the province and focused attention on anger at government policies. On April 19, hundreds of students and supporters protested in Gatineau, and 151 were arrested at the university. The government has called for negotiations to quell the demonstrations, but has refused to back down from the proposed tuition increases.
The militant student association C.L.A.S.S.E. has played a prominent role in the demonstrations, and member Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois noted, “We want a Quebec of social justice and not a Quebec where we sell ourselves to the mining companies.”
