Published 10:43 IST, September 22nd 2019
Paris climate march halted amid clashes between activists and police
A peaceful climate march has been halted in Paris after it was infiltrated by other protest groups on September 21 who blocked the streets and set fire on road
A peaceful climate march has been halted in Paris after it was infiltrated by other protest groups on September 21. A group of demonstrators joined the peaceful march and later turned violent breaking window panes and setting ablaze the street barricades. People abandoned the march as the clashes prompted French police to fire tear gas and arrest over 100 assailants. The massive security operation involved 7000 police officers. The violence and vandalism were being caused by the so-called black bloc anarchist group, who wore black scarves, sunglasses, and hoods to cover their identities.
Violent protestors blocked streets and vandalized establishments
Thousands of people marched into south Paris to urge French President Emmanuel Macron, world leaders at the United Nations and multinational companies to reduce greenhouse emissions faster. The silent protest suddenly turned violent after dozens of people dressed in black broke windows and set fire on the street barricades. Police used tear gas and batons indiscriminately to disperse the crowd as the demonstrators run for cover. Activists from the Extinction Rebellion group launched a blockade around the busy Port of Dover to highlight the vulnerability of the UK's food supply in the face of the ecological and climate emergency. It resulted in the arrest of 10 people. The protests come a day after hundreds of young people marched, rallied and demonstrated all over the world demanding to take action on climate change. The Global Climate Strike took place Friday in advance of a UN climate summit.
Police: The protestors were within their designated protest areas
The protest march remained peaceful to some extent. The violent protestors mingled in the crowd created chaos, broke shop windows, drew graffiti on buildings and set fire on the waste cans and scooters. The Extinction Rebellion Group disrupted the traffic around Dover in southeast England but the police said the protestors were in their designated areas of protest. Police also said that there was a short closure of the A2 highway, connecting Dover from London. They said 10 people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and would remain in custody pending investigations. The protests did not cause any disruption to vital supplies like medicines. Protestors also hung large banners and displaying the Extinction Rebellion "XR" emblem from Dover Castle and the town’s iconic white cliffs.
Updated 13:03 IST, September 22nd 2019