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Thursday, 26 December
world

Tear gas and clashes at Paris protest against police security bill

The protest against new security legislation took place in Paris, on November 28. The demonstrations against the security law – which would restrict the people's right to uncover and post online the faces of police officers – took place nationwide on Saturday with 46,000 marching in Paris.

This was reported by the BBC.

According to the bill "On Global Security", there would be a penalty for "spreading an image of a person or other element of identification" of a police officer or gendarme. The violators would face a year of imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros. Opponents say the bill undermines press freedom to document police brutality.

Clashes began after some in the crowd threw stones and fireworks at police. Cars and a newspaper kiosk were set on fire and dozens were arrested. The security officers used tear gas and water cannons. On Saturday, demonstrations were also being held in Bordeaux, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes and other cities across France.

Journalists' unions and the opposition think that the bill will not allow them to freely record the work of law enforcement officers during demonstrations, which “will open the door to police aggression”


During today's rally, the protesters shouted insulting slogans against law enforcement officers, and threw bottles and fireworks at police, using fences to defend themselves. They tried to block access to a number of streets and set fire. In response, law enforcement officers had to use tear gas and water cannons.

According to preliminary data, 37 police officers were injured in clashes with protesters.

Meanwhile, as was reported by “Apostrophe”. on the eve of the Christmas holidays, protests are taking place in many European countries against the strict COVID-19 quarantine measures. In London, a protester in a Santa Claus costume has been detained.