Paris has been the scene of numerous violent protests in recent months but usually the firefighters and riot police are on the same side. But on Tuesday a protest by firefighters (pompiers) to call for better pay and working conditions descended into ugly clashes with riot police. Videos from various points around Paris showed riot police charging firefighters with batons, whilst using tear gas and water canon to try to disperse the protesters. For their part police deplored the violence of some of those taking part in the protests and said three officers were left injured after being hit by objects. Trouble broke out when firefighters tried to block traffic at various points in Paris including near the National Assembly and on the Peripherique ring road.

Source: The Local October 15, 2019 19:07 UTC