http://www.am770chqr.com/News/National/Article.aspx?id=158568MONTREAL - Scores of slogan-chanting supporters of Quebec independence blasted the British monarchy and pelted soldiers with eggs in a lone sour note to Prince Charles' otherwise pleasant day trip to Quebec on Tuesday.
Chanting a variety of political messages including the famous independence call, "Le Quebec aux Quebecois," about 200 demonstrators intially blocked the prince's path into an event where he was to salute members of a historic regiment.
Shield-and baton-wielding riot police eventually moved into the crowd, shoving protesters back hundreds of metres to clear a path for Charles' motorcade. Police confirmed several arrests but gave no exact number.
The nosiy anti-monarchy crowd was the biggest of the day for the prince, who drew small but enthusiastic gatherings at earlier events throughout the day.
Even the protest itself was cordial at times: despite all the shouted swear words and crude hand gestures, some in the crowd graciously picked up debris and handed it over to police for safe disposal.
Most demonstrators either waved Fleur-de-lis flags or brandished signs with slogans such as Down With the Monarchy as they gathered outside the building housing the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.
A few pelted eggs in the soldiers' direction. Some sat in the middle of the street chanting as members of the Montreal police riot squad moved in.
The protest delayed the prince's scheduled arrival for 45 minutes, but Charles eventually made it in.
Patrick Bourgeois, one of the protesters, said the British monarchy has exploited people all over world and that Quebec is no exception.
The symbol of the monarchy has been resented by many French-Canadians for centuries, and Bourgeois and others said members of the Royal Family had no business being in Quebec.
Bourgeois also linked the prince's visit with the military mission in Afghanistan which features British and Canadian soldiers.
"Quebec is against the war in Afghanistan," said Bourgeois, a member of the pro-independence Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois.
"And now it's our chance to pass that message to Prince Charles and many people across Canada." FULL STORY
