Tear gas fired at lockdown demo

POLICE in Paris fired tear gas at demonstrators taking part in a protest against Covid restrictions yesterday.

The protesters, who defied a police order not to enter the capital, waved French flags as they blocked traffic near the Arc de Triomphe.

The demonstration was organised to oppose vaccination passes, which are now compulsory for anyone wanting to enter restaurants, bars and clubs in France. About 7,000 officers were deployed and police said they arrested five protesters in southern Paris who were in possession of sling shots, hammers, knives and gas masks.

The French demo comes as the Canadian province of Ontario declared a state of emergency after a fortnight of protests against Covid vaccine mandates paralysed the region.