Police arrest 3 after Montreal social-housing activists put up a tent city

Three people were arrested Thursday afternoon and will face criminal charges after police moved in on a group of social-housing activists trying to raise awareness by camping out in an unusual spot —a small park near Montreal police headquarters.

Police gave the group of about 100 people until 4 p.m. to take down their tents. Some said they would cooperate, while others said they would keep their tents up in protest.

By 5 p.m., three men had been arrested. They will each face one charge of obstructing an officer in the line of duty.

François Saillant, spokesman and coordinator for the group FRAPRU, said the tent city near St-Urbain and De Montigny streets is a rally in support of low-rent options in the city.

Saillant said more subsidies for housing co-operatives and non-profit housing units are getting cut, and the residents living there are really feeling the burn.

"The rent of the people that are living there will increase a lot," Saillant said.

"Some people will pay $100, $150 more [per] month."

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the tent city isn't the best way to bring attention to the need for more affordable housing.

Coderre said he supports the group's mission, but it could become a health and safety risk if more people join over the summer.

Saillant said the group took steps to ensure the camp is safe.

"We don't ask [Coderre] to agree with the camp. We ask him to tolerate the camp," he said.