France 24: Youths clash with police at banned Gaza protest in Paris
http://www.france24.com/en/20140726-pictures-thousands-defy-gaza-israel-palestinians-demonstration-ban-paris-france/
A banned pro-Palestinian demonstration went ahead in Paris Saturday, with thousands gathering at Place de la République in the city centre. Despite the large police presence, scuffles broke out with a hardcore element throwing projectiles.
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Photos: Youths clash with police at banned Gaza protest in Paris
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© Mehdi Chebil
Text by FRANCE 24
Latest update : 2014-07-26
A banned pro-Palestinian demonstration went ahead in Paris Saturday, with thousands gathering at Place de la République in the city centre. Despite the large police presence, scuffles broke out with a hardcore element throwing projectiles.
The demonstration got underway at around 3.00pm in the iconic Parisian square amid a tense and uncertain atmosphere after rioting erupted at a similar protest last week.
Despite a calm start to the demonstration, which had attracted upwards of 4,000 people, by 6.00pm police were using tear gas to disperse 200 to 300 hooded youths throwing projectiles at police despite the best efforts of stewards to rein them in.
Reporting from the scene, FRANCE 24’s Mehdi Chebil said the youths were throwing stones at shop windows and had also targeted journalists.
“Two photographers have been hit,” Chebil said. “These youths are trying to provoke the police by throwing glass, stones, anything they can lay their hands on."
Police reported making around 50 arrests.
Earlier, demonstrators chanted “Israel assassin” and other slogans accusing French President François Hollande of siding with Israel as it continues its operation in Gaza, a conflict that has claimed more than 1,000 Palestinian lives, mostly civilians. Around 40 Israelis, most of the soldiers, have also been killed.
One demonstrator was seen trying to burn an Israeli flag, but was booed many in the crowd.