9,000+ people attended anti-far right protest in Paris
French police use tear gas to disperse protesters at an anti-far right demonstration in Paris.
More than 9,000 people have joined a demonstration against the "far-right and fascism" in Paris, French media reported on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, the march organized by the Yellow Vests movement started at the Place de la Nation square and ended at the Place de la Republique.
The protesters not only voiced their objection to the presidential candidacy of the right-wing National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen, but also chanted "Neither [French President Emmanuel] Macron, nor Le Pen" and called for boycotting the second tour of the presidential election.
Police used tear gas to disperse protesters
Citing the French police, the BFMTV broadcaster noted that the protest was attended by 9,200 people. The demonstration was held back by police cordons and was overall peaceful until some crowds threw bottles at the police officers.
A Sputnik correspondent reported that the police responded by using tear gas several times to disperse protesters at the Place de la Republique.
🇫🇷📢Police violently crackdown on protesters during demonstrations against the far-right in #Paris, #France earlier today: pic.twitter.com/y52IqXC2aN
— The WannabeWonk (@PotempkinBrain) April 16, 2022
On April 10, France held the first round of the presidential election. President Emmanuel Macron received 27.84% of the vote and Le Pen 23.15%, which means they will face one another in the second round on April 24.