Police in France denounce ‘anti-cop hatred’
Written by Taiwo Adediran on May 19, 2016
Police in sixty French cities have taken part in rallies to demonstrate against what they call a rise in anti-police violence – only to be met with a fierce counter-protest in Paris. Police say there has been an escalation of violence in protests against labour reforms over the past two months.
As officers protested in Paris, they were targeted by counter-demonstrators. Groups say police have themselves acted violently towards them. As hundreds of police gathered for a rally at the Place de la Republique in Paris on Wednesday, hundreds of the counter-demonstrators defied a ban on marching. French media said up to fifteen youths attacked a police car with iron bars before throwing a petrol bomb at the vehicle. Two police officers who were inside the car fled before it was attacked, media said. Paris prosecutors say they have opened an investigation into attempted manslaughter.
