Montreal police on Wednesday night blocked several hundred protesters against newly adopted laws limiting mass protests, and arrested them according to city newspaper La Presse.

Protesting students marched for several hours until police surrounded the demonstrators in the city center.  The police said they took the course of action they did for various infractions, noting that, in particular the protestors did not notify authorities about the march route, and adding that some were wearing masks, which are also banned under the new municipal law.

According to the newspaper, 400 demonstrators were “surrounded”. The police will draw up an administrative offense for the majority of them, with those who threw various objects at police facing criminal charges.

Mass student protests against increased education costs started in Montreal more than three months ago.

Now students are protesting against the special law, Bill 78, adopted by the Quebec Parliament on “preventing unauthorized demonstrations and riots.” The law places restrictions on holding demonstrations and rallies without providing at least eights hours warning to police, and prohibits mass gatherings near any educational premises, as well as imposing severe penalties for violators. The police will also have the right to change a protest venue.

The penalty for individuals violating Bill 78 for can be up to 5000 Canadian dollars.

In addition, Montreal city council passed a law forbidding rally participants wearing masks or hoods concealing the face.