Rallies in Montreal and Vancouver that were held to protest police brutality turned violent Thursday as demonstrators clashed with officers, leading to several arrests.

People vandalize a phone booth as demonstrators march through the streets to protest against police brutality Thursday in Montreal.
(David Boily/Canadian Press)

Montreal police arrested 15 people late Thursday after the annual demonstration.

The rally started out peacefully, with about 500 people marching from the city's Cote des Neiges district.

Police say it turned violent later in the evening when a smaller group headed to the city's east end and vandalized stores and restaurants.

The people arrested face a range of charges from unlawful assembly and arson to armed assault on a police officer.

As many as 33 people were arrested during last year's demonstration.

Hours later, demonstrators in Vancouver toppled newspaper boxes, clashed with a television news crew and confronted police in that city's Downtown Eastside.

Mounted police units and traffic officers were on hand to control the crowd of about 30 to 50 protesters. Police say there were at least three arrests.

"At the end of the event, we were able to make some arrests and determined they had caused some damage to camera equipment during the event and I believe a minor assault to police officers," said Insp. Greg Parsons.

"To the best of my knowledge, I believe three people were arrested."