Anti-Capitalist Protesters in Montreal Commit Vandalism, Attack Police During May Day March

A protester throws a projectile at a window of Édifice Viger during a May Day march in Montreal on May 5, 2022. (Courtesy of Joshua Gariepy)

Black-clad Antifa-type protesters taking part in a May Day demonstration in Montreal smashed windows, scrawled graffiti, and attacked police in what has grown to be customary for this yearly event.

Anti-capitalist protesters gathered at Canada Place around 5 p.m. in the downtown area and started their march at 5:45 pm. Fifteen minutes later, the demonstration started turning ugly with acts of vandalism and rocks thrown at police, reported La Presse.

“Notice to the crowd: due to many offences committed during the demonstration, the SPVM is ordering people to disperse immediately,” wrote the Montreal police service on Twitter.

The event was organized by the far-left group Convergence of Anti-capitalist struggles (CLAC) under the theme “Colonial and ecocidal, capitalism is war!”

The group defended the vandalism in a statement posted on its website.

“Protesters legitimately targeted symbols of capitalism and colonialism like Google, the Palais des congrès [Convention centre], and many banks. Together, we have proven to them that they’re the ones who should now be fearful,” the statement said.

A video posted on Twitter shows protesters throwing objects at Édifice Viger near Old Montreal and attempting to prevent the holder of the camera from filming.

Police deployed tear gas to break up the demonstration, while the CLAC complained the police action was “disproportionate” and prevented them from completing their route.

SPVM spokesperson Mariane Allaire Morin said that 12 criminal offences related to the protest are under investigation, including seven counts of mischief, four armed assaults against police, and one assault against police. One arrest has been made for armed assault against police.

Two police officers and one bystander also sustained minor injuries, Allaire Morin said.

Another event for the International Workers’ Day in Montreal organized by labour unions and community groups took place without issue.

Previous years’ May Day events organized by the CLAC have seen similar scenes in Montreal with protesters attacking businesses and law enforcement.

In 2021, the protesters marched in residential areas far from downtown, but police broke up the demonstration when it became unruly, with nails being placed in the street to pierce the tires of police vehicles, reported La Presse.

Similar violent events involving like-minded protesters also took place this year in Berlin and Paris.