Protests erupted across France on Sunday in an angry response against the country’s newly re-elected President Emanuel Macron
Thousands joined the May Day protests, demanding salary increases and condemning the president’s plan to raise the retirement age.
The protests were mainly peaceful but some violence was seen in the streets of Paris with civilians ransacking businesses.
One McDonalds restaurant was raided by “Black Bloc” anarchists, smashing windows and setting garbage on fire.
Police fired tear gas in response, arresting 54 people.
Protests taking place on 1st May on Boulevard Voltaire in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. Black smoke was seen going up over the boulevard, and people running away after some sort of smoke being dissipated, presumably to scatter crowds.#1erMai pic.twitter.com/clwOn8VEwr
— Tanishk Saha (@tanishk_saha) May 1, 2022
Around 250 rallies across France in cities including Paris, Lille and Nantes.
Over 116,000 people joined the demonstrations with 24,000 of them in the capital.
