Dramatic Scenes as More Than 100 Police Officers Injured in Paris May Day Protests
More than 100 police officers were injured and nearly 300 people were detained across France, as May Day protesters clashed with police, local media reported, citing authorities.
Video recorded by journalist Gisella Ligios shows riot police and demonstrators clashing across Paris, during union-led protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s increase in the retirement age. Protesters are seen throwing flares and fireworks towards officers.
The French Ministry of Interior said 108 police officers were injured in the demonstrations, with one officer “seriously burned”.
Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin called for cross-party condemnation of what he called “unacceptable violence against law enforcement.”
Darmanin said the “vast majority” of demonstrators were peaceful but small, violent groups in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes had attacked police officers and damaged property. At least one police officer was injured by a Molotov cocktail, Darmanin said. Credit: Gisella Ligios via Storyful
