Forty-six people were arrested on Saturday in Paris after violent clashes broke out at the annual May Day workers' march. The militant CGT trade union confederation says it was targeted in particular, with more than 20 of its rank and file injured, two seriously., reports RFI.
It is not unusual to see protests in Paris ending in sometimes violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Saturday's May Day march was no exception.
Police made 46 arrests in the capital, 56 nationwide. 6 police officers were injured, three in Paris.
In recent years, notably during anti-government Yellow Vest demonstrations or more recently protests against the global security bill, clashes have broken out or been fomented by rioters "casseurs" whom the police tend to refer to as "black blocs" because of their black-clad attire. Some have an ultra-Left agenda and take pride in targeting symbols of capitalism: banks, car concessions and often bus shelters.
In a strange twist, it would appear that on Saturday the rioters targeted the anti-capitalist CGT trade union.