MONTREAL — Seventeen protesters were arrested in Montreal on Tuesday after occupying the offices of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
They were apprehended for alleged mischief and assault, while another protester was nabbed outside in connection with an incident involving a police vehicle. They may face criminal charges.
The group issued a manifesto denouncing immigration policies in Canada and calling for an end to deportations. While most of the protesters entered the downtown building, some chose to stay outside to chant about legislation they say is needed for undocumented immigrants.
Montreal police spokesman Manuel Couture said authorities were contacted at around 9 a.m. and that an eviction notice was read out two hours later.
Most of the infiltrators left the premises but about 20 people stayed behind. Police officers quickly arrested them.
Seventeen of the protesters were released on a promise to appear in court at a later date, while one was still in custody as of late Tuesday afternoon.
Photos circulating on social media showed the demonstrators playing music, unrolling banners and hanging up signs on the building's windows during their occupation.
