Violent Montreal student protest nets 10 arrests

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 two protesters were injured in the standoff, and 10 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."
"This is 2012, this is Quebec. We have had ministers find tanks of gas on their verandas. There are ministers who have had death threats," the premier said.
"I find it unacceptable that one student association refuses to condemn violence," he added, singling out CLASSE, the movement's most militant group.
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.
His Liberal government has already "extended a hand" to student groups about education financing and "increased bursary and loan programs."
Friday's protest started midday, with students surrounding the Palais's entrance, with some building barricades using construction materials from a nearby work site.

Student protester Nicolas Moran holds his
bloodied shirt during a protest in downtown
 Montreal on Friday.

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.
He called the Plan Nord symposium an important event for Quebec's future and didn't mention the student protesters outside.
He condemned them afterwards while meeting with reporters.
Student groups have organized near-daily demonstrations since they declared an unlimited boycott on classes nearly two months ago.
At issue is an increase that will see tuition fees rise by $1,625 over the next five years.
The government has refused to back down on the increases despite the student unrest. (cbc.ca)