Post date: Jun 10, 2012 6:32:57 PM
At least 28 people were arrested on Saturday (June 9) as students protesting tuition hikes threatened to disrupt a Grand Prix party. Police faced off with protesters for several hours, trapping thousands of revelers gathered to celebrate the Grand Prix, which pours millions of dollars into the local economy.
The sometimes violent student strike, which began in mid-February after the Quebec provincial government announced plans to raise tuition fees, has taken on a wider scope with groups opposed to global capitalism, anarchists and labor unions joining in.
Police arrest at least 28 people in Montreal after students protesting tuition hikes disrupt a Canadian Grand Prix party.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA (JUNE 9, 2012) (CBC) - The threat of rain and student protests hung over the Canadian Grand Prix as Montreal's biggest annual tourist event got off to a gloomy start over the weekend.
With Formula One viewed as an elitist sport, the Montreal race provided protesters with an obvious target and raised tensions among police and race organizers.
Skirmishes are expected to continue throughout the weekend with protesters reportedly planning to overload the Montreal subway system that provides the main link to the circuit.