Paris: 200 arrested in May Day riots

Paris [France] May 2 (ANI): The Police here arrested nearly 200 demonstrators who damaged shops and torched cars during annual May Day protests.

Raising slogans such as "Rise up, Paris" and "Everyone hates the police", around 1,200 people in black jackets and masked faces participated in the traditional May 1 union-led demonstration for worker's rights, the South China Morning Post quoted the police report.

The demonstrators destroyed a McDonald's restaurant near Austerlitz station, east of the city centre, and set it ablaze. Various vehicles and a car dealership were also set ablaze, according to several media reports.

"Macron makes us mad," read a banner held by one masked demonstrator.

Riot police used teargas and water cannon to disperse the protesters. Four people were reportedly injured in the clashes, including a police officer.

"I condemn with absolute firmness the violence that has taken place today and which has misled the May Day processions. Everything will be done so that their authors are identified and held responsible for their actions," French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in French.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb also took to Twitter to condemn the violence.

"I firmly condemn the violence and degrades committed on the sidelines of the # 1Mai trade union parade in Paris. Everything is being done to put an end to these serious disturbances of public order and to apprehend the perpetrators of these unspeakable acts," he tweeted.(ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI