Hundreds of people were arrested Sunday at a Montreal protest against police brutality -- some before the event had even begun -- in what has become an annual event marked by violence.

Video footage showed police firing tear-gas canisters into the crowd as people hurled rocks and bricks at stores.

Roughly 17 people were arrested before or at the start of the rally. But by early evening, that number had risen to 200.

The arrests were nothing new for the annual event, which has resulted in vandalism in recent years. Last year, more than 40 people were taken into custody.

A spokesperson for the Collective opposed to Police Brutality, which organized Sunday's rally, said the group does not encourage violent behaviour.

Several hundred people took part in the rally, some wearing masks.

The event carried added significance this year because of the August shooting of 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva.

The teenager was shot by police three times, after officers opened fire on a group of youths in Henri Bourassa Park. Villanueva's family called for a public inquiry into the incident.

With a report by CTV Montreal and files from The Canadian Press