Quebec unveils 'emergency bill' on student protests

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

18 May 2012 Last updated at 19:20 GMT

Quebec unveils 'emergency bill' on student protests

The provincial government of Quebec has unveiled emergency legislation to curtail the most sustained student protests in Canadian history.

The law would shut some universities early and impose fines on protesters blocking students from classes.

Hundreds of people protested in the streets of Montreal as the government debated the bill on Thursday night.

Protests against rising tuition fees began 14 weeks ago, escalating into a standoff with the government.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18121448

[chollybocker]

1. There's a real powderkeg happening in Montreal.

Lots of prolonged idealogical debate between the students and the politicians. Language is no longer on the front-page.

Every single day, protesters are marching through the streets and helicopters are hovering overhead.

Both sides are determined. Watch this space.

[chollybocker]

2. It's now 11:40 PM

and a helicopter has been buzzing overhead for half an hour now. I can hear a huge parade of protesters coming this way, chanting in unison down Ste-Cath St., Berri Square, the Village.

[chollybocker]

3. 12:15 am

Helicopters, sirens, traffic jams; screams, chanting, cheering.

[Zalatix]

4. Way to go, students!

Let's hope this leads to a CANADIAN Summer.