The Montreal police launched tear gas while dispersing a crowd of demonstrators participating in a pro-Palestinian rally after members of the group broke windows at McGill University on Friday evening.

The group was part of a protest that marched through downtown Montreal, which started peacefully shortly after 8 PM.

Around 9:30 PM, some demonstrators reached the McGill University campus and smashed the windows of the James Administration building while others watched and chanted "Pull out now."

Within seconds, dozens of riot police quickly charged at the demonstrators, ordering them to leave.

It appeared that at least one officer pushed one of the demonstrators before she fell to the ground. Other participants came to her side and helped her get up.

Moments later, near the administration building, officers used tear gas on four demonstrators.

The Montreal police, reached late Friday evening, stated they could not confirm whether the police operation had been completed or if there had been any arrests.

The pro-Palestinian sit-in was dismantled hours earlier.

Before the crowd was dispersed, a large group of demonstrators protested near Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle. People chanted "Palestine will be free" as the march moved through the downtown streets.

The police dismantled a pro-Palestinian camp earlier that day. The camp was established last month in Victoria Square in downtown Montreal.

During that police operation, which began around 4 AM, an 18-year-old man was arrested.

According to the police, the man allegedly pointed a laser at police officers' eyes a few days prior, temporarily injuring at least one officer.

Mayor Plante responds

During a press conference, city mayor Valérie Plante stated that the decision to dismantle the camp was not taken lightly.

Plante said, "But a demonstration cannot occupy a public space permanently. You cannot occupy a public space for any reason. Public space must remain public."

"The camp did not allow for the freedom of movement and access for residents, workers, firefighters, and police officers present to ensure everyone's safety inside, outside, and around the camp."

Additionally, Plante said that the camp violated municipal regulations, prompting the decision to dismantle the camp "peacefully."

Protester Emma Joubert, who was in the camp with 15 others, described the scene when the police first arrived at the camp.

The protester said during an interview, "I’m trying to get the rest of the people out... And as I was trying to leave, the riot police were here and here, they come and throw one of our friends to the ground and hit him a bit, which, you know, is another example of police brutality, we’ve seen that a lot in our protests."

Joubert said the police were "very aggressive" with the demonstrators, but they were told they would be able to return and collect their belongings afterwards, yet while doing so, they were also kicking our tents and damaging our things. They were saying, get out, get out, leave, leave, leave, but there’s only one entrance to the camp, and they were blocking it.

Joubert explained, "They kind of like to corner us all in one part of the camp. And we’re all stuck in that corner. I think one of our friends has already jumped over the fence."

The pro-Palestinian camp was set up in the square late last month.

The demonstrators are demanding that the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) "immediately withdraw its $14.2 billion investments in 87 companies complicit in the Israeli occupation."

The group is also calling for the closure of the Quebec office in Tel Aviv because "increased trade relations and diplomatic cooperation with Israel legitimizes the genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people."

The pro-Palestinian McGill camp remains intact.

After the dismantling, Deep Saini, the principal of McGill University, said that the police intervention was a "encouraging sign" that the city and Montreal police were taking a serious approach toward the camps.

He stated in a statement, "I have every expectation that the city and SPVM will remain consistent in their approach and act quickly to remove the camp here as well."

However, Plante said that McGill leadership failed regarding the camp and confirmed that McGill was the only university that did not find a peaceful solution.

Plante added, "I expect McGill University to review its strategy. However, they have already decided to resort to the courts. And that’s what they need to be responsible for."

"They’re taking this route immediately to go to court, and now everything is tied to this decision that the court will make."

On Thursday, the Montreal fire service was prevented from entering to conduct a safety inspection of the pro-Palestinian camp at McGill University.

The visit was part of a routine inspection to ensure the camp was free of any fire hazards or risks to those residing there.