The May 1 Labor Day demonstration in Paris was a somber affair, marred by violent clashes between the “black Blocs,” vandals who destroyed the Place de la Nation, and the anti-riot forces of the gendarmerie. The gendarmes closed off the square from the center outwards and filtered the protesters’ passage.
During the demonstration, a worker’s van was set on fire, shop windows were smashed, garbage cans were set on fire, and stones were exchanged with the gendarmes. Tear gas was used, resulting in 45 arrests in Paris. One protester was injured. Twelve members of law enforcement were hospitalized after an explosion, and the unrest was triggered by the war in Gaza Strip.
Despite this, there were still many peaceful protesters at the event. According to union representatives, about 50,000 people participated in the demonstration in Paris alone. Nationally, there were approximately 200,000 protesters in total. The procession started from Republic Square and led towards Plaza de la Nación with demands ranging from salaries to a ceasefire in Gaza and a more protective Europe.
However, there were also some radical groups such as Antifa that clashed with security forces during protests. Pro-Palestinian activists joined the marches as well leading to incidents of vandalism and looting by some radicals. These events did not limit to Paris but broke out across other cities in France as well.
The general secretary of CGT expressed concerns about social issues such as compensation for workers affected by preparations for Olympic Games as well as cuts to overtime hours for teachers and other public services among other things. President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged French workers on Labor Day expressing gratitude for their contributions while addressing these concerns raised by CGT’s general secretary .
The demonstration ended at Plaza de la Nación with singing of classic song “La Internationale.” Throughout
