Violent May Day Clashes Break Out In Paris

Violent May Day clashes break out in Paris against re-election of Macron - watch

 REUTERS

Police fired tear gas to push back black-clad anarchists who ransacked business premises in Paris on Sunday during May Day protests against the policies of newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron.

Thousands of people joined May Day marches across France, calling for salary increases and for Macron to drop his plan to raise the retirement age.

Most were peaceful but violence broke out in the capital, where police arrested 45 people, including a woman who attacked a fireman trying to put out a fire, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told a news conference. Eight police officers were injured, Darmanin added.

Clashes with police broke out at the start of the march near La Republique Square and when it reached La Nation Square in eastern Paris.

"Black Bloc" anarchists ransacked a McDonald's restaurant on the Place Leon Blum and trashed several real estate agencies, breaking their windows and setting garbage bins on fire.

About 250 rallies were organized in Paris and other cities including Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille.

In the capital, trade unionists were joined by political figures - mostly from the left - and climate activists. In all, more than 20,000 people took part, up from 17,000 last year, the interior minister said.

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