Police arrest 35 student demonstrators

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MONTREAL, April 28 (UPI) -- Montreal police say they arrested 35 people protesting university tuition increases by throwing rocks and bottles at police and smashing windows Friday night.

Almost every day for nearly three months, various student unions have organized rallies and demonstrations against the provincial Liberal government's plan to raise tuition fees, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The plan was to increase fees by $1,625 over five years, or $325 per year. Friday, Premier Jean Charest said the government was willing to stretch the increase over seven years, or $254 per year. He also said the government would boost bursaries by $39 million.

In response, students were quick to print placards and banners for Friday's demonstration saying, "It's not an offer, it's an insult," the CBC said.

As part of the protest, the broadcaster said some 170,000 students have been boycotting classes.

Of Canada's 10 provinces, Quebec's university tuition fees are the lowest and would remain lowest after the increases.