Police arrested three people Monday night after a clash with anti-poverty protesters at the downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

The incident began when about 70 members of the Anti-Poverty Committee tried to crash a city budget consultation session.

Police arrested three people after anti-poverty protesters tried to crash a city budget meeting.
(CBC)

A group of police officers was blocking the entrance and pushed back, trying to stop the protesters from going in. However, some protesters got into the room and began toppling tables and throwing chairs.

A police officer pepper-sprayed several people during the confrontation.

Police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning said one of the protesters grabbed an officer's belt and gun during the fracas. 

"The police officer pushed the protester back and then had to pepper-spray him because he would not let go of her belt."

Fanning said police are recommending that an assault charge be laid against the man.

Group wants more housing for homeless 
 
Some members of the group confronted Coun. Peter Ladner, who chairs the city's finance committee, demanding more money for affordable housing for the poor.

Ladner says the protesters crossed the line, adding that he's not prepared to take the Anti-Poverty Committee seriously as long as it uses confrontational tactics.

'We want to hear these opinions, but we can't hear them if all people want to do is come in and yell and throw chairs around.'-Coun. Peter Ladner

"We want to hear these opinions, but we can't hear them if all people want to do is come in and yell and throw chairs around," he said.

Meanwhile, Kim Kerr of the Anti-Poverty Committee blamed the police for starting the confrontation that turned violent.

"This is a public meeting. We come here to protest and people are sprayed. And we have no reason to believe that Vancouver's finest aren't here to pick people off as they're leaving. So we intend to leave as a group."

Earlier this fall, the Anti-Poverty Committee staged two occupations of vacant buildings — an old hotel in the Downtown Eastside and a second building near Vancouver City Hall.

The group says it is planning more protests in the coming weeks.