Paris protesters demand Macron resignation as scenes turn ugly
Campaigners called today the 25th Act in their yellow vest movement after 24 consecutive Saturday demonstrations.
Wednesday 1 May 2019 19:02, UK
The May Day medley of Gilets Jaunes, trade unionists and the radical left black bloc was always going to be messy.
With 7,400 riot police out in Paris and plenty in the crowds up for a fight, today's demonstrators had brought goggles and gas masks as well as their trademark yellow vests.
Police clashes have become a feature of the Gilets Jaunes' Saturday marches and today was no exception, with running battles between riot police and masked protesters, the air heavy with tear gas and water cannon trucks at the ready.
France's interior ministry had warned that up to 2,000 black bloc protesters - campaigners wearing dark clothing and scarves - would descend on Paris with possible reinforcements from abroad.
May Day rioting is a favourite black bloc pastime, whether in Paris or Berlin, but they didn't seem to be the only trouble-makers.
"All of Paris hates the police", chanted the crowds at the lines of riot officers alongside some May Day, or even just anti-globalisation classics - "anti, anti, anti-capitalista".
The issue of violence has marred the Gilets Jaunes' movement, angering many who accuse the police of heavy-handedness whilst alienating others who feel their cause has been hijacked by those who are out for a bust-up.
People on the streets today were calling for revolution and President Emmanuel Macron's resignation.
The package of measures he proposed last week to try and address their concerns doesn't seem to have touched the sides.
He was out of touch, not listening, symptomatic of an elite who have got rich off the fat of the land as the rest have seen their living standards squeezed - that was the gist of my conversations today.
It is hard to know what would touch the sides. More referenda is a common refrain. Democracy put back in the hands of the people.
The protesters called today the 25th Act in their yellow vest movement after 24 consecutive Saturday demonstrations.
President Macron must be praying for the curtain to fall, but from what I saw today, these protesters still have a few more acts in them.
The tragedy of liberal democracy's unravelling playing itself out on the French street.