03:29France: Thousands rally against 'police brutality' at Paris City Hall, demand interior minister's resignation
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in front of Paris City Hall on Thursday, to denounce what they claim was 'police brutality' after last weekend's clashes with eco-activists in Sainte-Soline, Western France.
Demonstrators could be seen carrying banners with messages such as: 'State violence, Macron is guilty', 'GM2L grenades' and 'Weapons of war' referring to the devices used by the police to disperse protesters at the earlier rally.
Protesters also demanded the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin.
Violent clashes took place in the town in Sainte-Soline on Saturday, as nearly 6,000 environmental activists protested against the construction of reservoirs, and were met with over 3,000 law enforcement officers.
The authorities claimed that seven demonstrators and 28 officers were wounded, while organisers alleged that over 200 participants were injured, including one left in a coma. Two French journalists were also injured.
Families of the injured protesters announced that they would file a complaint for 'attempted murder' and 'obstruction of rescue'.
After the official rally on Thursday, called by the 'Earth Uprisings' (Les soulèvements de la Terre) association, hundreds of young protesters, led by black-clad activists, started an unauthorised march through the central part of Paris.
03:29Thousands of demonstrators rallied in front of Paris City Hall on Thursday, to denounce what they claim was 'police brutality' after last weekend's clashes with eco-activists in Sainte-Soline, Western France.
Demonstrators could be seen carrying banners with messages such as: 'State violence, Macron is guilty', 'GM2L grenades' and 'Weapons of war' referring to the devices used by the police to disperse protesters at the earlier rally.
Protesters also demanded the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin.
Violent clashes took place in the town in Sainte-Soline on Saturday, as nearly 6,000 environmental activists protested against the construction of reservoirs, and were met with over 3,000 law enforcement officers.
The authorities claimed that seven demonstrators and 28 officers were wounded, while organisers alleged that over 200 participants were injured, including one left in a coma. Two French journalists were also injured.
Families of the injured protesters announced that they would file a complaint for 'attempted murder' and 'obstruction of rescue'.
After the official rally on Thursday, called by the 'Earth Uprisings' (Les soulèvements de la Terre) association, hundreds of young protesters, led by black-clad activists, started an unauthorised march through the central part of Paris.