MONTREAL, Que, Canada - Riot police used tear gas and concussion grenades on hundreds of students protesting outside Montreal's Palais des congrès Friday, where Premier Jean Charest was speaking at a symposium on northern development.The mayhem reached deep inside the convention centre, where Charest's keynote speech was delayed after a group of protesters gained access to the building and confronted police guarding the meetings.
Two police officers and at least two protesters were injured in the standoff, and 17 people were arrested.
Friday's action is the latest in Quebec's escalating student movement against planned tuition-fee increases. Charest admonished the students and said the social disruption is "unacceptable."- Charest said debate over Quebec tuition reaches back two decades, and his government's decision to raise fees was made over a year ago after consultation with different groups.
- Are you concerned about the increasingly tense nature of the student protests?
- His Liberal government has already "extended a hand" to student groups about education financing and "increased bursary and loan programs."
- But many students say the tuition protest is about more than the cost of university education.
- Friday's protest started midday, with students surrounding the Palais's entrance, with some building barricades using construction materials from a nearby work site.
Police pushed protesters back using batons, chemical irritants, and eventually resorting to tear gas and concussion grenades.The clash also saw someone open a fire hydrant, while rocks and red paint were thrown at the conference centre.
Inside, Charest began speaking an hour behind schedule, but apologized for the delay and thanked people for their patience.
Student groups have organized near-daily demonstrations since they declared an unlimited boycott on classes nearly two months ago.
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