An anti-gay marriage rally turned violent in Paris on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of people marched against a draft bill that would allow same-sex partners to marry and adopt children.
The “marriage for everyone” bill, already passed by the lower house of French parliament, stands a test in the Socialist controlled Senate next month. Via the Guardian:
The first few hours of the protest were peaceful. But as it was meant to be winding down, about 100 youths tried to push past police barricades on to the Champs Elysées.
Police officers wrangled with the youths, firing teargas to force them back. Gaining momentum, more and more protesters took side streets to reach the avenue, blocking a key intersection on the route to the president’s Elysée Palace.
Police fired more teargas but were unable to block the crowds from spilling on to the road. “Hollande, resignation!” the protesters chanted, before breaking into the French anthem, La Marseillaise.
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