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Montreal brutality riot nets 221 arrests

MONTREAL, March 16 (UPI) -- The Canadian city of Montreal's 13th annual march against police brutality resulted in 221 arrests and 189 others being ticketed, police said Monday.

Initially, some 400 people gathered near a west-end subway station to start the march but officers quickly ruled it illegal as some of the protesters were carrying things that could be used as weapons, The Gazette newspaper said.

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The situation deteriorated and running battles with riot police broke out. Tear gas canisters and rubber bullets were deployed as protesters smashed store windows and damaged police vehicles, the report said.

Monday morning, the force said at least $200,000 damage was done by the crowd.

Two officers also received minor injuries, Constable Laurent Gingras said.

Of those arrested, 32 of them were for criminal charges including assault, mischief, theft and possession of a weapon with dangerous intent.

Those who were charged with unlawful assembly will be mailed their $144 tickets, police said.

Calm was restored about 9 p.m., and four city buses and numerous police vans were used to take away those charged, the report said.

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