Protest expected to jam streets and detour buses

Leave cars at home and use public transit, police urge anyone with downtown plans

Montreal police are urging anyone with plans to be downtown Thursday to leave their cars at home and use public transit as tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to jam city streets to protest tuition fee increases.

But while leaving your car at home rather than sitting behind a police cruiser blocking traffic may take some stress out of your day, be prepared for detours even if you’re on foot, as police acknowledge that the route some of the rally’s organizers have provided could change.

“If you drive a vehicle this is not the place to be,” said Montreal police spokes person Ian Lafrenière, referring to the swath of central and eastern downtown that will be covered by the protest route.

“And if you’re walking … consider the possibility you’ll be jammed, even as a pedestrian.”

The magnitude of the march as well as its timing – two days after a provincial budget reiterated that tuition fees will be increased – suggests that the mood on Thursday could be surly.

But Lafrenière was cautiously optimistic, saying Montrealers shouldn’t be quick to link the clashes of last week’s anti-police brutality march with Thursday’s protest.

“Based on the intelligence we have at the moment, there’s a heck of a difference between this demo and the (anti-police brutality) march.

“If you know the history of the (anti-brutality) demo, for the past 15 years it’s been a nightmare. For (Thursday’s) demo … the people in charge are saying there’s going to be about 30,000 people, they’ve shared the route for once – at least two of the major student organizations have shared their route – so this is a huge beginning.”

Lafrenière said “at this point, we’re not looking at a group of people looking for a confrontation with police.”

A large demonstration does not necessarily promise a violent demonstration, he added, recalling even larger antiwar protests staged in the city that were carried out peacefully.

Even if Thursday’s march provokes nothing more than a traffic jam, those who heed the advice of police and use public transit should also prepare to be patient.

Isabelle Tremblay of the Société de transport de Montréal said commuters should consult the STM’S website to determine which bus routes have been detoured because of the march.

“For the métro, we’ll keep an eye on the situation and adjust (train frequency) as needed,” she said. “But you have to understand that during rush hour, we’re pretty well running at full capacity.”

The march is to begin at 1 p.m. at Place du Canada, south of René Lévesque Blvd.

Buses transporting protesters from out of town will be using St. Antoine St. between Bleury St. and St. Laurent Blvd. as disembarkation area.