Picture: Paris police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators\AFP

[Ta Kung Pao News] According to reports from AFP, Reuters and the British "Guardian": In response to the global call to combat climate change, Paris, France, held a march of tens of thousands of people on the 21st. However, the originally peaceful demonstration was hijacked by a group of so-called "Black Bloc" radical anarchists and "Yellow Vest" activists. They smashed shop windows and burned motorcycles and trash cans. The police therefore dispatched police forces to quickly suppress the demonstration. A total of 164 people were arrested, 120 of whom have been detained.

The Paris police stated that the climate change demonstration attracted about 16,000 people. In order to effectively maintain order and prevent thugs from disrupting the demonstration, the police deployed more than 7,500 police officers that day, closed 30 subway stations, and listed the Champs Elysées, where the "yellow vest" demonstrators often go, as a prohibited parade area. Anyone who violates the ban will immediately face a fine.

In addition to the police, the Paris fire department also took special measures on the 21st to equip firefighters with motorcycles and portable fire extinguishers to increase mobility and handle fires in a timely manner.

Thousands of thugs mixed into the parade

In the afternoon of the same day, the originally peaceful parade turned sour due to the participation of anarchist "black group" and "yellow vest" elements. When the police tried to separate the peaceful demonstrators from the "black group" wearing black clothes and black masks, the latter began to throw petrol bombs at the police, set up roadblocks and set fire to debris on the streets of the city center, destroyed motorcycles, shop windows and other public facilities on the roadside, and poured paint on bank doors.

The police said that about 1,000 "black group" protesters blended into the parade, forcing the police to use police force and tear gas to quickly suppress them.

A group of "Yellow Vest" activists, who have been protesting for 45 consecutive Saturdays, came to the Champs Elysees in violation of orders. Some demonstrators were armed with hammers and petroleum cans, but they encountered police officers who were waiting there. The police then used tear gas and batons to quickly disperse and arrest illegal demonstrators.

Organizers were forced to call off the march

Organizers of the climate change march had to urge demonstrators to leave to avoid conflicts.

The Paris Police Department stated on the 21st that as of the evening of that day, the police had arrested a total of 164 violent individuals, conducted 1,249 security checks, and 395 people had been fined 135 euros (approximately HK$1,166) for demonstrating in prohibited areas. The Paris City Prosecutor's Office announced that night that 120 of those arrested had been detained.

French Interior Minister Castaner posted a message on social media, thanking the police for their efforts in maintaining order. He said: "The violent elements were arrested and the vandalism was stopped."

European Heritage Day activities are covered in dust

Since the first "Yellow Vest" movement broke out on November 17 last year, there have been many serious violent smashing incidents and fierce clashes between the police and marchers. When dealing with the violent demonstrations of the "Yellow Vests", the French police arrested a large number of violent individuals in accordance with the law. According to data released by the French Interior Ministry, the police have arrested tens of thousands of people since the "yellow vest" movement was launched.

In addition, the annual "European Heritage Days" (European Heritage Days) also happens to be held on the weekend. During the event, some buildings that are not usually open to the public, such as the Elysee Palace, the French presidential palace, are available for the public to visit. French President Macron called on marchers to "keep calm" on the 20th and not to interfere with people participating in European Heritage Day activities.

However, violent demonstrations still disappointed many visitors. Due to safety concerns, many tourist attractions and monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Grand and Petit Palais museums in Paris, have announced that they have canceled plans to open their doors to the public for free during Heritage Days.