Paris cops set on fire as a reported 2.3m protesters demonstrate in France

Clashes broke out on the streets of Paris as cops ended up on fire as they tackled May Day pension protesters.

Furious demonstrators showed their anger at French president Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular pension policy.

Bank windows and bus stops were smashed, bicycles were torched and cops were also hit by objects after Mr Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 last month.

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Labour rights are celebrated across the globe on May 1 and campaigners marked the day by hitting the streets demanding higher salaries, reduced working hours and better working conditions.

Around a million marched across France as part of the protest with 500,000 pouring onto the streets of Paris.

A police spokesman said: “There has been widespread disorder across the city, with more than 55 arrests.”

However, the General Confederation of Labour (France) claim the figure is much higher with 2.3m demonstrators across the country.

Although most were peaceful, groups of extremist protesters shattered windows of stores and banks in Paris, drawing tear gas from rows of riot police.

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One was filmed dismantling a surveillance camera, and French police deployed drones exceptionally to film unrest, a move that has raised concerns among privacy defenders and activist groups.

Clashes with police were also reported in Lyon and Nantes.

French union members were joined by labour activists from other countries, environmental activists and other groups fighting for economic justice, or just expressing anger at Macron.

Activists are also opposed to the 2024 Paris Olympics and their impact on society and the environment also demonstrated.

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