May Day protesters torch Paris McDonald’s, vehicles
PARIS (AFP) — Nearly 200 protesters were arrested on Tuesday after May Day riots in central Paris, where hooded youths torched a McDonald’s restaurant and several vehicles during a march against French President Emmanuel Macron’s public sector reforms.
Shouting slogans such as “Rise up, Paris” and “Everyone hates the police,” around 1,200 people in black jackets and face masks joined the traditional May 1 union-led demonstration for worker’s rights, according to a count by Paris police.
After trying to hold up the march, a group of protesters ran amok along the route, destroying a McDonald’s near Austerlitz station, east of the city center, and setting it ablaze.
They also burned vehicles at a car dealership, along with a mechanical digger and a scooter, leaving a trail of destruction and plumes of dark smoke billowing into the air.
The worst unrest in months in Paris comes at a time of heightened tensions over Macron’s changes in the public sector and follows a showdown between police and anti-capitalist squatters at a sprawling commune in western France.
The police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.
Around 200 people were arrested, according to a police statement. Three were found in possession of illegal weapons, it said.
The police had warned of the risk of extremist groups using May Day to set up a rematch of the clashes seen during demonstrations last year over Macron’s labor reforms and at an anti-capitalist camp in western France that was demolished by police earlier this month.
“Macron makes us mad,” read a banner held by one masked demonstrator.
“We’re tired of this capitalist system that destroys everything and of brutal police repression of all those who oppose it,” said a 19-year-old student who was part of the group.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb condemned the violence.
“Everything is being done to end this serious disturbance to the peace and find those responsible for these unspeakable acts,” he tweeted.