(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) French security forces again clashed with protesters Saturday as
campaigners sought to stop the construction of reservoirs for the
agricultural industry in the southwest of the country, AFP
correspondents said, trend reports citing al
arabiya .
The violent scenes in Saite-Soline in western France came after
days of violent protests nationwide over President Emmanuel
Macron's pension reform that prompted the cancellation of a visit
by King Charles III of the UK.
A long procession set off late morning, comprising at least
6,000 people according to local authorities and around 25,000
according to the organizers.
More than 3,000 members of the security forces were deployed,
with“at least 1,000” potentially violent activists, including some
from Italy, present, officials said.
Around the construction site, defended by the police, violent
clashes quickly broke out between the security forces and radical
militants, AFP correspondents said.
Multiple projectiles and improvised explosives were thrown by
protesters, with police responding with tear gas and water
cannon.
“While the country is rising up to defend pensions, we will
simultaneously stand up to defend water,” said the organizers
gathering under the banner of“Bassines non merci” (“No to
reservoirs, thank you”).
Eleven people were already detained after police seized cold
weapons, including petanque balls and meat knives, as well as
explosives.
The protest movement against the pension reform have turned into
the biggest domestic crisis of Macron's second mandate, with daily
clashes in the streets of Paris and other cities between police and
protesters.
MENAFN25032023000187011040ID1105861541
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.