Canada-style protests spread as central Paris grinds to a halt
PARIS was brought to a standstill yesterday as riot police charged at “freedom convoy” protesters with tear gas and pepper spray.
Officers fought to control hundreds of demonstrators, inspired by protests in Canada, along the Champs-Élysées and close to the Arc de Triomphe.
The demonstrators were protesting against Covid restrictions, as well as rising living costs.
Some 7,200 officers with armoured vehicles and water cannons were deployed across the capital, which remained gridlocked as arrests were made. Police moved in quickly to clear entry points to the city, blocking hundreds of cars, trucks and vans. A total of 283 fines were issued for participation in the unauthorised protest.
The crowds echoed protests in Canada that entered their sixth day as police moved in to disperse them from the US border.
Protesters blockading the busiest crossing between the US and Canada disrupted the flow of goods and forced the auto industry on both sides of the border to roll back production.
The demonstrations at the Ambassador Bridge, and in downtown Ottawa and elsewhere, have targeted vaccine mandates and other Covid restrictions.
Lines of officers and military-style police vehicles advanced and threatened to arrest those who remained, but appeared reluctant to use force.
Some among the 100-strong crowd began dismantling tents and barbecues set up during the bridge occupation but many – some carrying ice hockey sticks with Canadian flags tied to the top and wearing camouflage clothing – appeared undeterred, shouting “freedom” at the approaching officers.