Police say 279 arrested at Montreal demonstration

Montreal police saidat least 279 protesters were arrested on Friday evening during a demonstration against police tactics.

Police declared the protest illegalas a crowdassembled at Place milie-Gamelin near the Berri-UQM metro station late in the afternoon.

Officers quickly surrounded the demonstrators who began to march aroundthe square shortlyafter 6 p.m.

CBC's Alex Leduc said several journalists from other media outlets seemed to be caught up in thecrowd as officerscarried outkettling manoeuvres.

Montreal police said three people were arrested for assault.

The demonstratorswere speaking outagainst municipal bylaw P-6, which allows police to declare protests illegal if organizers fail to provide authorities with an itinerary.

The bylaw also makes it illegal for people to cover their faces while taking part in protests.

Police usheredthe people who were arrested onto city buses, where most of them were processed and eventually released.

No injuries were reported.