Project 365 – Day 111: Riot Police at the Palais des Congrès

April 20 2012

I was actually out looking to shoot some abstract images today but instead found myself shooting police in riot gear.

Violence erupted at the Palais des Congrès in downtown Montreal this afternoon as student protesters broke in, forcing Premier Jean Charest to delay his Plan Nord pitch to Montreal’s business community. I was late getting to where the violence took place that involved students throwing projectiles at police and police responding with tear gas and baton charges.

Even so the atmosphere was still tense in and around China Town and the Palais des Congrès.

Riot Police block Avenue Viger

Riot Police block Avenue Viger

Riot police take up position

Riot police take up position

Riot police move into position

Riot police move into position

Riot Police guard the Place d'Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d’Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d'Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d’Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d'Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d’Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d'Armes Metro station

Riot Police guard the Place d’Armes Metro station

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Riot Police block avenue Viger

Police cars along rue Saint Antoine

Police cars along rue Saint Antoine

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Saint Urbain

Police charge on rue Saint Urbain

Police charge on rue Saint Urbain

Police on rue Viger with debris from earlier clash

Police on rue Viger with debris from earlier clash

Police on rue Viger with debris from earlier clash

Police on rue Viger with debris from earlier clash

Protester on rue Saint Urbain

Protester on rue Saint Urbain

Despite all the police activity and high profile, people continued to go about their daily business – although in many cases were forced by police to take a detour.

Local being told to take an alternative route

Local being told to take an alternative route

BIXI bikes still in demand under the watch of riot police

BIXI bikes still in demand under the watch of riot police

Rushing to get the metro home

Rushing to get the metro home

At least no need to wait for traffic lights to change

At least no need to wait for traffic lights to change

Continuing as though nothing was going on

Continuing as though nothing was going on

Hopefully back to calmer photography tomorrow.

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.

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Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

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2 Comments

  1. Ricky Leong April 21, 2012 at 1:57 am #

    Like a time warp for me. I was a student at Concordia about 10 years ago when it was in the thick of student demonstrations. As a reporter, I was quickly introduced to Montreal and SQ riot police.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 21, 2012 at 9:39 am #

      Thanks for stopping by Ricky. Hopefully your introduction to the riot police wasn’t on the wrong end of a baton. Hard to see an end to this protest given both sides don’t appear to want to budge an inch in their stance…At least for photogs it means there’s normally something to shoot every day 😉