France: Clashes erupt during Paris anti-Le Pen and Macron protest

Several hundred protesters clashed with police at a demonstration against the final candidates in the upcoming presidential elections, in Paris on Thursday. The protesters, many who were students, gathered in Place de la Republique and marched towards the Bastille and further to Place de la Nation, ending the demonstration at Porte de Vincennes. Along the route, protesters smashed bank windows and recycling containers of glass bottles, which they then threw at the police. The gendarmerie responded to the demonstrators’ offensive by firing teargas and charging the demonstrators. The National Front’s (FN) Marine Le Pen and independent centrist Emmanuel Macron will face off in the second round of the French elections, scheduled for May 7. During the first run-off in the presidential race, Le Pen gained 21.3 percent, trailing behind Macron, who secured 24 percent. Video ID: 20170427 022 Video on Demand: http://www.ruptly.tv Contact: [email protected] Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly