Montrealers take to streets after two men killed during police operations

Demonstrators take to the streets to protest a man's death during a police operation. (Cosmo Santamaria/CTV News)

Two separate demonstrations protesting the deaths of two men during police action in Montreal resulted in six arrests on Sunday, according to Montreal police (SPVM).

The force notes that during the first protest, more than 100 Montrealers took to the streets in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood at 3:30 p.m. to call attention to the death of 29-year-old Abisay Cruz, who died the week prior during a police operation.

The SPVM claims fireworks were thrown into the air, and at 4:30 p.m., several objects were launched onto Highway 40, forcing officers wearing riot gear to deploy tear gas and disperse the crowd.

Police say six people were arrested, four for armed assault and two for assaulting a police officer.

The demonstration was considered over at 9 p.m., and there were no reported injuries.

Cruz’s death is being investigated by the Bureau des enquêtes indépendante (BEI), Quebec’s police watchdog.

On the same day, at 6 p.m., another group gathered in Place Émilie-Gamelin to protest a police shooting that resulted in a man’s death in an apartment building on Saint-Hubert Street.

According to the BEI, the man was allegedly in possession of a firearm when officers shot in his direction.

Demonstrators, who marched up Saint-Laurent Boulevard, demanded more transparency and accountability.

There were no arrests.

They disbanded at 9 p.m. without incident, according to police.