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The “yellow vests” in France have returned after the forced shutdown due to COVID-19, Reuters reported.
The French authorities have deployed a large number of police in Paris.
The demonstrations began with clashes between protesters and police in various places in the French capital. The police also used tear gas.
Local media reported a massive police presence around the central boulevard of the Champs Elysees, where the authorities banned protests.
Thousands of people gathered in two squares in Paris for the marches authorized by the authorities. One caravan left without incident, but the other march was delayed after police used tear gas to disperse protesters who had left the route. Trash cans and a car were burned.
The authorities have banned protests in the central part, including the Champs Elysees, which became the center of unrest amid the “yellow vest” movement almost two years ago over the increase in fuel consumption taxes. Soon after, a broader range of social demands and calls for direct democracy joined. In its early months, the movement drew thousands of protesters and often sparked violent street clashes with police, but last year the ranks of protesters visibly dwindled.
Some of the protesters were dressed in black and carried the flag of an anti-fascist movement, indicating the presence of radical protesters called “black blocs”, who are often accused of violence in street demonstrations in the country.
The police said it was made 200 arrests at 3:00 p.m. local time. Many people have been arrested for carrying items that could be used as weapons.
# 12septembre | At 3:00 pm, the police made 2⃣0⃣0⃣ arrests and 3⃣5⃣ verbalizations on the sidelines of the day’s demonstrations. pic.twitter.com/bGKJQ5obVp
– Police prefecture (@prefpolice) September 12, 2020
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