A policeman was seriously injured during clashes with protesters near Paris and western France on Thursday as workers and students across the country continued to demand the withdrawal of a contested labour reform, reports FRANCE 24.
France’s largest cities saw a new wave of street demonstrations and strikes as student groups and unions tried to maintain pressure on the government just days before the bill is brought to Parliament.
Violent altercations between police and mainly young protesters broke out in Paris, as well as the cities of Nantes, Rennes and Lyon.
Around 60,000 people marched in Paris starting around 2pm local time from the Denfert-Rochereau square in the south of the capital. Police gave a much lower figure for the turnout, saying around just 15,000 participated.
“Protesters have been chanting anti-government slogans, saying they want the bill scrapped altogether,” FRANCE 24's Aurore Dupuis reported from Denfert-Rochereau.
Riot police used tear gas on protesters after some hurled bottles and rocks near the Pont d’Austerlitz, momentarily halting the rally. The Prefecture of Police said two policeman were injured as a result, one seriously, with at least five people placed in custody.
There were also reports of altercations between protesters and police as the demo wrapped up at Place de la Nation around 6pm local time.
Earlier, tyres were burned as students tried to block the main commercial port serving the French capital and its surrounding region. One police officer was slightly injured and two people were arrested when the same group of protesters later tried to block a bus depot, also in the Paris suburbs.
In Lyon, France’s third largest city, around 150 students clashed with police as they tried to march on the city centre. Some threw objects at police, who responded with tear gas. Three officers were injured and two protesters were arrested, according to local reports.