The protest, which coincides with French President Emmanuel Macron’s first anniversary in office, has gathered some 160,000, according to organizers.
French authorities have deployed 2,000 police officers to the streets of Paris to ensure security during protests on the day when President Emmanuel Macron assumed his presidential office a year ago. At least one law enforcement officer has been injured as a result of the rally, Sputnik France reported.
The organizers of the protest reported some 160,000 participants, while law enforcement disclosed a much lower number of 40,000. At about 02 p.m. local time (12:00 GMT) peaceful demonstrators started their march from the square near the building of Paris National Opera (Le Palais Garnier).
The law enforcement services had to use tear gas against a violent group of protesters, as the latter were throwing bottles and stones at them, Sputnik correspondent reported, adding that at least one policeman has been injured as a result of the clashes.
Demonstrators march during an anti-Macron “festive” protest called by far-left opposition “France Insoumise” (France Unbowed) political party two days ahead of the first anniversary of his election as President, in Paris, France, May 5, 2018
Paris has been hit by mass demonstrations and rallies for a month now, with May Day protests turning violent earlier this week. Thousands of people have taken to the streets on Saturday, with residents planning to join mass protests against President Macron’s policies and authorities taking measures to quell the crowds to avert violence on the streets – the manifestations are going under the slogan “Let’s make a holiday for Macron,” (“Fête à Macron”) on the anniversary of the president’s election.
Protests in Paris, France, Saturday, May 5, 2018
Many participants are holding placards and banners with slogans such as “Stop Macron,” “To the Sixth Republic,” “To Human Progress,” marching eastwards, to the Bastille. According to BFMTV, the police arrested three people, carrying home-made arms.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
