Videos: Over 160,000 People Demonstrate Against Coronavirus Passes in France
03:06 GMT 25.07.2021 (Updated: 03:11 GMT 25.07.2021)
© REUTERS / BENOIT TESSIERProtesters attend a demonstration called by the French nationalist party "Les Patriotes" (The Patriots) against France's restrictions to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, on the "Droits de l'Homme" (human rights) esplanade at the Trocadero Square in Paris, France, July 24, 2021.
© REUTERS / BENOIT TESSIER
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PARIS (Sputnik) - More than 160,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday, protesting against new coronavirus restrictions, with violence reported in some cities and at least nine arrests made.
In Paris alone, about 11,000 demonstrators gathered to express dissatisfaction with the new safety regulations, particularly the COVID-19 health pass that has come into effect amid a surge in infections, according to BFMTV.
Overall, more than 160 demonstrations were held across France on Saturday. Clashes with police were reported in some cities, including Paris and Lyon.
"I strongly condemn the violent behavior which targeted certain police officers, gendarmes and journalists. In Paris, 9 individuals were arrested," French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter.
According to a Sputnik correspondent, protesters clashed with police officers not far from Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
#SputnikVidéo | Les forces de l’ordre ont effectué une interpellation musclée sur les #ChampsÉlyséeshttps://t.co/RC4wVKSdEe#manifestation #ManifestationAntiPassSanitaire #manifs24juillet pic.twitter.com/0aSN3eW0Bp
— Sputnik France (@sputnik_fr) July 24, 2021
Meanwhile, France Télévisions reported that some of its journalists were attacked by protesters in Marseille on Saturday.
🔴 INFO - #Marseille : Des journalistes de @francetele ont été agressés en marge d'une #manifestation #AntiPassSanitaire aujourd'hui. La chaîne condamne fermement ces actes inqualifiables et France Télévisions va porter plainte contre les auteurs de ces faits. #covididiots pic.twitter.com/8xGx08LvOJ
— FranceNews24 (@FranceNews24) July 24, 2021
100 000 personnes crient « Macron démission !!! » #trocadero #manifs #RassemblementHistorique #AntiPassSanitaire 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/M1CrxW415Z
— Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) July 24, 2021
Large-scale protests swept through many cities across France last weekend. Another rally is scheduled for Sunday.