Multiple injuries in Montreal after group altercation at Concordia University over Israel-Hamas war | CBC News

Montreal police say a 22-year-old student was arrested Wednesday after allegedly assaulting a 54-year-old security guard at Concordia University during a violent altercation involving several people who align with opposing sides of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Around 1:30 p.m., calls were made to 911 regarding a conflict on de Maisonneuve Boulevard near Mackay Street in the Ville-Marie borough, according to Montreal police spokesperson Const. Caroline Chèvrefils.

When police arrive on the scene, they assisted security guards who were trying to manage a conflict between several students, she said. 

The altercation began with an argument between two groups of students who have opposing views about the war in the Middle East, she said. It then escalated to violence.

During their intervention, police arrested a 22-year-old student for allegedly assaulting the security guard. He was then released on a promise to appear in court, Chèvrefils said.

A second security guard,19, and another student, 23, were injured by assaults during the altercation.

All three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were not transported to hospital.

Police were on the scene until 4:15 p.m., Chèvrefils said, and the investigation is ongoing.

“Acts of violence such as those that affected Concordia students today and the attack on a synagogue yesterday are unacceptable,” said Mayor Valérie Plante on X, formerly known as Twitter.

She was referring to the police investigation into remnants of Molotov cocktails that were found at a synagogue and Jewish community centre in the Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., overnight Monday. 

“These hateful acts have absolutely no place in Montreal: A city of peace, security and kindness,” she said.

Plante said each event like this will be investigated by Montreal police, which will not hold back when it comes to maintaining security. She called on people to resist violence, and instead stay united while demonstrating for peace.