‘Armageddon’ rioting breaks out in Paris as extremist demonstrators hijack May Day protests
- The so-called Black Bloc anti-capitalist movement were involved in clashes with police this afternoon
- By 2pm there had been a total of 165 arrests in the French capital with huge parts of the city on lockdown
- Some 7400 police were on the streets for May Day, when workers traditionally protest against the ruling elite
Rioting broke out in Paris today as thousands gathered for May Day protests dubbed ‘Armageddon’ by extremist demonstrators.
Thugs from the so-called Black Bloc anti-capitalist movement were involved in running battles with police soon after 1pm.
By 2pm, there had been 165 arrests in Paris, most for public order offences related to the rioting.
Weapons were also confiscated as the police used tear gas, rubber bullets and baton charges to try and restore order.
French Gendarmes stand guard as street medics intervene (right), prior to the start of May Day demonstrations in Paris on May 1
Riot police officers restrain a man during a May Day demonstration in Paris – dubbed ‘Armageddon’ by extremist demonstrators from Black Bloc – an anti-capitalist movement
French authorities announced tight security measures for May Day demonstrations, with the interior minister saying there was a risk that ‘radical activists’ could join anti-government yellow vest protesters and union workers in the streets of Paris and across the country.
Activists make their way through tear gas during a May Day demonstration in Paris, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. French authorities announced tight security measures for the expected ‘Armageddon’ riots today
A protester in a wheelchair, wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) faces anti-riot police forces in the Montparnasse district of Paris, ahead of the start of the annual May Day (Labour Day) workers’ demonstration
A masked protester in black gestures prior to the start of May Day demonstrations in Paris. France’s zero-tolerance approach to protest violence will be tested as a mix of labour unionists, ‘yellow vest’ demonstrators and hardline hooligans are expected to hit the streets today
A man, his face covered in blood and heavily bandaged, is assisted as he walks away during a May Day demonstration in the French capital Paris today
An injured protester is assisted by a street medic prior to the start of the annual May Day rally in Paris. A heady mix of labour unionists, ‘yellow vest’ demonstrators and hardline hooligans are expected to hit the streets today for Labour Day
Black Bloc activists with their faces covered could be seen leading attacks on officers, and smashing up vehicles and shop fronts.
The worst early violence was outside La Rotonde, President Emmanuel Macron’s favourite restaurant in Montparnasse.
‘Black Bloc agitators were throwing stones and other missiles at us, and we had to charge,’ said a CRS riot control officer at the scene.
‘Tear gas has also been deployed to bring order to the situation. The situation is very tense.’
Huge parts of Paris were in lockdown as an unprecedented 7400 police officers were drafted on to the streets.
The massive security presence was announced by Interior Minister Christophe Castaner who said: ‘There’s no question of dramatising anything, it is a question of being prepared.’
May Day is a Bank Holiday and a traditional time for Left-Wing workers to rise up against the ruling elite.
A protester holds a scale and a placard which reads ‘LBD40, CAC40 same fight’ in front of French riot police during the traditional May Day labour day march in Paris
A man wearing a yellow vest and a mask stands amidst a cloud of tear gas during today’s May Day demonstrations in Paris, France
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said extra officers were needed because ‘1000 to 2000 extremists’ were expected to join in the trouble today
A police officer assists an injured man as demonstrators march though Paris during the annual May Day protests on May 1 in Paris
More than 7,400 police and security forces have been deployed in the city to prevent a repeat of the violence and disorder seen in 2018
A protester throws back a tear gas canister, during clashes with riot police officers, prior to the start of May Day demonstrations, in Paris on May 1, 2019
French riot police gather to protect the Rotonde restaurant during a demonstration of the French trade unions members and protesters of the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ (Yellow Vests) movement marking Labor Day in Paris
The violence was worst outside La Rotonde – a favourite restaurant of President Emmanual Macron, which received international attention after he and his entourage celebrated his first round victory in the Presidential elections
A ‘Black Bloc’ anti-capitalist protester throws a rock at a van during May Day demonstrations today. More than 7,400 police and gendarmes will be deployed across Paris with orders from the French President to take an ‘extremely firm stance’ if faced with any violence, a government spokeswoman said on April 30
Masked protestors – part of the ‘black bloc’ direct action movement – attack a van in the Montparnasse district of Paris on May 1 2019
In France, there have been around 5000 police, gendarmes and soldiers deployed for recent Yellow Vest demonstrations that have descended into anarchy.
Today a further 2400 were deemed necessary as the Vests were joined by trade unionists, climate change protestors and Black Bloc who had posted messages on social media pleding an ‘Armageddon’ that would turn Paris into the ‘Riot Capital of Europe’.
Mr Castanar said the extra officers were needed because ‘1000 to 2000 extremists’ were expected to join in the trouble.
These would be added to around 25,000 Yellow Vests in Paris alone, and some 100,000 more in other parts of France, said Mr Castaner.
Protesters gesture and face riot police officers amid tear gas smoke, prior to the start of May Day demonstrations, in Paris on May 1, 2019
Street Medics attend to an injured protestor in the Montparnasse district of Paris, prior to the start of the annuel May Day workers’ demonstration
A man wearing an Anonymous mask and a Yellow vest walks past French riot police during a May Day rally in the southern French city of Marseille on May 1
Masked protestors dressed in black, some carrying the famous yellow vests of the anti-government protest movement gather in the Montparnasse district of Paris
French anti-riot policemen detain a protester in the Montparnasse district of Paris, prior to the start of the annual May Day (Labour Day) workers’ demonstration in Paris on May 1
Tear gas floats around masked protesters during clashes with French riot police during a demonstration as part of the traditional May Day labour day in Paris, France, May 1, 2019
Tear gas surrounds masked protesters wearing French flags and Yellow Vests during clashes with French riot police in Paris
A police officer points a 40-millimetre rubber defensive bullet launcher LBD, as he stands guard with gendarmes and riot police officers, prior to the start of May Day demonstrations, in Paris on May 1
Protesters hold a sign reading ‘Patriarchy Murderer’ during a demonstration of the French trade unions members and protesters of the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ (Yellow Vests) movement through Paris’ streets marking Labor Day in Paris
French CRS riot police apprehend a protester during clashes at a demonstration during the traditional May Day labour day in Paris, France
A protestor hold a placard that translates as ‘The People are fighting the Human Vegetables’ during a May Day demonstration in Paris, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. French authorities announced tight security measures for May Day demonstrations, with the interior minister saying there was a risk that ‘radical activists’ could join anti-government yellow vest protesters and union workers in the streets of Paris and across the country
Many ‘radical activists’ more are expected to come from neighbouring countries including Britain, Germany and Italy to join in the mayhem.
There are fears that they will target public monuments, banks and high-end shops, while also threatening the kind of fires that have become common at protests.
This has led to the Champs Elysee – the most famous avenue in France – being closed, along with Paris’s governmental and diplomatic districts.
The Ile de la Cite – the island where Notre Dame Cathedral is situated was also in lockdown following the blaze that almost destroyed it last month.
A protester is arrested by French riot Police during a demonstration of the French trade unions members and protesters of the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ (Yellow Vests) movement marking Labor Day in Paris
A man kicks away a tear gas canister during a May Day demonstration in Paris, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. France’s interior minister said there was a risk that ‘radical activists’ could join anti-government yellow vest protesters and union workers in the streets of Paris today
Police face demonstrators during a May Day rally in Paris today. By 2pm there had been a total of 165 arrests in the French capital with huge parts of the city on lockdown
Armoured cars and water cannons were also being deployed next to historic buildings such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomhe.
The Vests – who are named after their high visibility motoring jackets – started as an online group calling for an end to high fuel prices last November.
They have been demonstrating in major cities such as Paris every Saturday since, and are now calling for President Emmanuel Macron to resign.
He went on television last week to outline a package of economic reforms worth around £4.5billion, but it has failed to pacify his critics.
As Mr Macron prepares for European Parliament elections this month, he wants to show he is capable of maintaining law and order in his own country.
May Day demonstrations were also expected today in major cities such as Bordeaux, Marseille and Toulouse.
French CRS riot police apprehend a protester during clashes at a demonstration during the traditional May Day labour day in Paris, France
Protesters wearing yellow vests gather in the Montparnasse district before the start of the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris, France, May 1, 2019. The placard reads: ‘RIC (Citizens Initiated Referendum)’
Maxime Nicolle, aka Fly Rider, one of the leading figures of the ‘yellow vests’ (gilets jaunes) movement, looks on prior to the start of the annual May Day rally in Paris
French CRS riot police secure a position during clashes at a demonstration during the traditional May Day labour day in Paris
A man holds up a banner that plays on the name of disgraced former top presidential security aide Alexandre Benalla, during a May Day rally in the southern French city of Marseille on May 1. Benalla was identified by Le Monde newspaper on 18 July 2018 as the person filmed beating up a young protester during the 2018 May Day demonstrations in Paris while impersonating a police officer
Street medics check an injured protester before the start of the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris today
A masked protester wrapped in a French flag looks on while standing in front of riot police prior to the start of the annual May Day rally in Paris
A police officer points a 40-millimetre rubber defensive bullet launcher LBD prior to the start of May Day demonstrations, in Paris on May 1, 2019
A yellow vest protester wearing an Alexandre Benalla mask gestures prior to the start of the annual May Day rally in Paris on May 1, 2019. Benalla was identified by Le Monde newspaper on 18 July 2018 as the person filmed beating up a young protester during the 2018 May Day demonstrations in Paris while impersonating a police officer
Authorities have warned that this year’s marches could be tense, coming barely a week after leaders of the yellow vest anti-government movement angrily dismissed a package of tax cuts by President Emmanuel Macron
French authorities announced tight security measures for May Day demonstrations, with the interior minister saying there was a risk that ‘radical activists’ could join anti-government yellow vest protesters and union workers in the streets of Paris and across the country
French riot police secure a position before the start of the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris, France on May 1
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