France: Disruptive protests reported in Paris amid Labor Day march May 1 /update 3

Event

Police clashed with protesters in Paris on Wednesday, May 1, as thousands of "yellow vest" and labor union demonstrators marched through the capital for International Workers' Day. Security forces fired tear gas at protesters near Montparnasse at approximately 14:30 (local time) after some protesters launched projectiles at riot police. Authorities warned some 2000 so-called "Black Bloc" protesters - a self-identified anarchist group - were expected to disrupt the traditional Labor Day march. 

The Ministry of Interior reports roughly 200 people were arrested in Paris, while an additional 12,528 were detained. Labor leaders also claim that they were forced out of the demonstration march due to the violence and appealed for calm. According to local reports, a heavy police presence has been deployed at Place d'Italie, where the main demonstration march is scheduled to end on Wednesday evening.

Clashes were also reported in Nantes, while roughly 200 protesters in Besançon reportedly stormed the local police headquarters before being dispersed by security forces. Demonstrations in Toulouse, Montpellier, and Bordeaux have passed off peacefully as of Wednesday afternoon. 

A heightened security presence is to be anticipated near any demonstrations. Localized transportation and business disruptions are likely near protest sites, and clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Context

May 1 is International Workers' Day and celebrated as Labor Day, a public holiday, in France. The main demonstration is scheduled to take place between Montparnasse and Place d'Italie in Paris. 

The "yellow vest" movement began on November 17, 2018, to protest rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax. It has since grown to encompass a number of popular grievances against the French government. Some protests have turned violent and acts of vandalism and looting have been reported, although the scale of the protests has diminished since their height in December. Demonstrations have continued despite French government proposals to address protesters' concerns. President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of reforms on April 25, including closing corporate tax loopholes, income tax cuts, linking pensions to inflation by 2020, and reforming referendum processes, among others.

Advice

Individuals in France, particularly Paris, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and public gatherings due to the risk of violence, allow additional time to reach their destinations, anticipate a heightened security presence and business and transportation disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.