France: Episodes during the May Day demonstration in Paris

Thousands of people took part in its marches May Day throughout France, calling for wage increases and protesting against the Macron plan to raise the retirement age. In Paris, police used tear gas to repel black-clad anarchists who looted shops.

The first tensions occurred just a few minutes after the start of the march, early in the afternoon. A very agile group of protesters, dressed in black – clothes, gloves and masks – broke away from the main road to clash with police. They tried to set up a roadblock using stakes and attacked shop windows.

According to a French Agency reporter, about twenty stores, mainly McDonald’s stores, insurance companies, real estate agencies and banks were damaged while a car was broken into.

Protesters also fired missiles, including fruit, at police. Police tried to disperse them using tear gas. The demonstration was organized after the call of trade unions, demanding wage issues, public services, social protection and the ecological transition.

Source: News Beast

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