48 arrested at police-brutality protest in Montreal

At least 48 people were arrested Sunday in Montreal during a march against police brutality that drew about four hundred demonstrators.

There were concerns that the 13th annual protest, organized by the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality, would turn violent as it has in recent years.

The fears were accentuated this year because of last summer's fatal shooting by police of 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva in a Montreal North parking lot, which sparked a night of rioting in the working class, multi-ethnic borough.

Several hundred protesters took to the streets Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. ET at Mont-Royal metro station, where they fanned out in an attempt to destabilize police officers who were trying to keep track of the roving demonstrators.

David Ngo, who was stuck in his car for nearly two hours because of the protest, said: "I am worried.... When something like this happens, there's nothing you can do except stay in your car and close your windows."

Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière said many of those arrested were carrying sticks or stones.

Two officers were slightly injured. Some of the protesters were tossing fireworks, police said.

Television footage showed some people throwing rocks at businesses, including hotels. Protesters were shown to be clutching their faces because of tear gas released by police.

Hundreds of officers, some on horseback and bicycles but many on foot, kept track of the protesters, many of whom wore masks.