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Clashes in Paris as Demonstrators Protest France's Health Pass

Police and demonstrators clashed at protests over France’s health pass in Paris on July 31.

French media reported as many as 200,000 people took part in the mostly-peaceful protests across the country, including 14,250 in Paris.

This footage by Nicolas Mercier shows police using non-lethal munitions and water cannons to disperse demonstrators throwing glass bottles near the July Column. At one point, police rush a man away from the crowd as he clutches his head. Later, a woman can be seen washing a man’s face and mouth with a spray bottle.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin in a tweet thanked law enforcement and said at least 19 people were arrested, including 10 in Paris.

The protests came after legislators passed a bill requiring citizens use the health pass to access a large amount of public venues, local media reported. The pass requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a recent negative test.

France reported over 25,000 new coronavirus cases on July 30. Credit: Nicolas Mercier via Storyful