PARIS in flames, AGAIN. CLICK for pics.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/1919200/riots-paris-molotov-torch-cars-illegal-film-police/FRANCE IN FLAMES Paris riots: Masked mob of protesters hurl Molotov cocktails and torch cars over law making it illegal to film police
Debbie White
Dec 5 2020, 13:19 ETUpdated: Dec 5 2020, 14:31 ET
RIOTS have flared in Paris as a masked mob lobbed Molotov cocktails and torched cars over a contentious law banning the filming of cops.
Scores of hooded anarchists launched projectiles at riot cops, smashed up shop windows, and burned barricades during today's demo against police violence.
Vehicles were torched during the mayhem
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Vehicles were torched during the mayhemCredit: Reuters
Police used riot shields and batons to protect themselves
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Police used riot shields and batons to protect themselvesCredit: Reuters
France was accused of curbing freedoms
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France was accused of curbing freedomsCredit: AFP
Projectiles were hurled at police, including paint, earlier today
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Projectiles were hurled at police, including paint, earlier todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
Protesters were blocked during today's protest in Paris
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Protesters were blocked during today's protest in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
One group of anarchists ransacked a bank, tossing piles of paperwork onto a fire
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One group of anarchists ransacked a bank, tossing piles of paperwork onto a fireCredit: AP:Associated Press
Violence erupted during the Paris protest on December 5
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Violence erupted during the Paris protest on December 5Credit: AP:Associated Press
A firefighter walks past a burning car during the protest
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A firefighter walks past a burning car during the protest Credit: Reuters
Politicians have said they will look at the contentious legislation
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Politicians have said they will look at the contentious legislationCredit: Rex Features
Riot police have been out in force today to calm down the protesters
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Riot police have been out in force today to calm down the protestersCredit: Reuters
Firefighters were kept busy extinguishing flames from lit debris and torched vehicles
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Firefighters were kept busy extinguishing flames from lit debris and torched vehiclesCredit: Rex Features
Thousands of people had begun marching peacefully in the French capital when the clashes suddenly erupted.
There were face-offs between cops and pockets of protesters, most of whom were dressed in black and had their faces covered, reports Reuters.
Some used hammers to break up paving stones.
Cops fired back volleys of tear gas as angry protesters were denouncing police brutality.
They were also railing against President Emmanuel Macron’s hated security policy plans which demonstrators slammed for restricting civil liberties.
France has been hit by a wave of street protests after the government introduced a security bill in parliament.
The draft law increases its surveillance tools and restricts people's rights to circulate images of police officers in the media and online.
Meanwhile in Lyon, protesters walk through tear gas
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Meanwhile in Lyon, protesters walk through tear gas Credit: AP:Associated Press
Fires were lit in the capital as riot cops intervened
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Fires were lit in the capital as riot cops intervenedCredit: Reuters
The protest flared over a contentious bill cracking down on people's rights
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The protest flared over a contentious bill cracking down on people's rightsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Vehicles were torched during the mayhem
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Vehicles were torched during the mayhemCredit: AP:Associated Press
Cops confronted the demonstrators in Paris
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Cops confronted the demonstrators in ParisCredit: Rex Features
“We’re heading towards an increasingly significant limitation of freedoms. There is no justification,” said Paris resident Karine Shebabo.
Another protester, Xavier Molenat, added: “France has this habit of curbing freedoms while preaching their importance to others.”
As darkness fell, live TV images showed one group of anarchists ransacking the branch office of a bank.
They could be seen tossing piles of paperwork onto a fire burning on the pavement outside.
Angry protesters waved banners that read “France, land of police rights” and “Withdrawal of the security law”.
The draft legislation provoked a fierce public backlash
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The draft legislation provoked a fierce public backlashCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Flares were also set off during the dramatic day
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Flares were also set off during the dramatic dayCredit: Rex Features
Masked protesters could be seen at the demo
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Masked protesters could be seen at the demoCredit: Rex Features
The streets of Paris were full of riot police and chanting protesters
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The streets of Paris were full of riot police and chanting protestersCredit: Rex Features
Windows were smashed by some in the volatile mob
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Windows were smashed by some in the volatile mobCredit: Rex Features
Smoke and flames could be seen rising from the streets
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Smoke and flames could be seen rising from the streetsCredit: Reuters
Paris police said that some 500 “casseurs” - which translates as hoodlums or rioters - had infiltrated the protest, according to BFM TV.
Twenty-two arrests had been made, the force added.
The new bill was part of the president’s drive to get tougher on law and order ahead of elections in 2022.
His government also claimed that cops needed to be better protected from online hate.
But the draft legislation provoked a public backlash.
It comes after the publicised, brutal beating of a black man, music producer Michel Zecler, by several police officers in late November.
