People who consider "luxury cars, condos under construction," and other signs of a changing neighbourhood "a violent process" are claiming responsibility for attacking five businesses in eastern Montreal.

Montreal police said a dozen masked and hooded vandals smashed windows and threw paint inside five stores along Ste. Catherine St. early Monday morning.

In an anonymous post on the Montreal Counter-Info blog, people claiming responsibility for the attack state their intent is to do as much damage as possible.

"These shattered windows and commodities destroyed by paint are an act of war. We will not let these boutiques set up in peace - this peaceful facade which is nothing other than the invisiblization of the ongoing war against poor and marginalized people," states the blog.

Montreal Counter Info frequently has posts from people who denounce rising rents and the "sterilization" of neighbourhoods and celebrate theft.

Vandals target small business owners who move into lower-income neighbourhoods, such as Hochelaga Maisonneuve and St. Henri.