Montreal crowds mark 100 days of student protest

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

23 May 2012 Last updated at 01:34 GMT

Montreal crowds mark 100 days of student protest

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have filled the streets of Montreal to mark 100 days since protests began against a planned rise in student tuition fees.

People chanted "Our streets!" and carried signs and red banners. There were no reports of arrests.

An emergency bill passed by Quebec's government on Friday was aimed at curbing the protests by requiring marches to follow pre-approved routes.

Rallies since then have turned violent, with 300 arrests on Sunday alone.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18170492

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. The government better eliminate that 82% fee hike real soon. n/t

[unreadierLizard]

2. I have to say as a Canadian myself.

I really don't understand these protests. You have to understand it from our position:

1. Quebec already pays the lowest tuition rates in the country, at around 2,500 dollars a year.

2. I live in Ontario, which pays the highest tuition rates in the country, roughly 6,500 dollars a year.

3. This "tuition hike" is approx. 500 dollars, if I understand right, bringing it up to about 3,000 dollars a year.

Still, not as bad as us. I guess I don't understand protesting something that seems so inconsequential when we're paying double what they are already.

[laundry_queen]

3. As a student

who is paying large tuition rates in Alberta, I know what you are saying.

However. Just because I'm paying more doesn't mean I want those in Quebec to pay more. The lower Quebec keeps tuition, the better it is for everyone. Kind of like the whole union thing. It's not a race to the bottom.