Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters at Porte de Vincennes in Paris on Saturday, despite a heavy security deployment across the French capital, as fresh anti-government demonstrations swept France.
Footage shows riot police firing tear gas and blasting protesters with water cannon, while masked demonstrators hurl rubbish bins towards officers.
The clashes broke out near the endpoint of an authorised protest march, which authorities had redirected away from central Paris.
Earlier, the Paris Police Prefecture banned the originally agreed route from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation to prevent unrest from spreading through central Paris.
A heavy police presence was also maintained around Place de la Bastille, with officers checking pedestrians’ bags and inspecting luggage.
Up to 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide, while at least 24 Paris Metro stations were reportedly closed. Major cultural attractions, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, were also shut to visitors.
At least 135 people had been detained across France in connection with Saturday’s protests, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
The latest demonstrations followed violent nationwide unrest on October 17 over rising living costs, school conditions and public services, which led to thousands of arrests.
Source: Viory
