Thousands of French citizens organized a protest in Paris against a health pass related to the virus, and riot police used their hands and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Approximately 3,000 security forces were deployed around the French capital to face the protests that have taken place for the third consecutive weekend against the health pass, which will be necessary for entering restaurants and other venues. The police took positions along the Champs-Élysées to protect it from the entry of violent demonstrators.
Parliament members approved a bill related to the virus, requiring a pass to enter most places starting August 9, as infection rates rise and hospital admissions increase. Polls indicate that the majority of French citizens support this measure, but some oppose it strongly. The pass requires proof of vaccination, a negative rapid test, or evidence of recovery from COVID-19, and vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare workers by mid-September.
Four separate protests were organized on Saturday in Paris, with this week's slogan being "freedom." Calls for marches were also made in other cities across France. Among the participants in the previous two weeks' protests were far-right activists and members of the radical yellow vests, as well as others who believe that the health pass limits their freedom.
The police intermittently used water cannons and tear gas to deter violence, especially after some demonstrators moved toward the Arc de Triomphe area. Tensions flared in front of the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in northern Paris during what appeared to be the largest demonstration. Lines of police confronted the protesters in close encounters during the march, with officers resorting to physical force multiple times.
As the demonstrators moved eastward, police fired tear gas at the crowds, filling the sky with columns of smoke. One protester sustained a head injury and was bleeding. Florian Philippot, a former leader of Marine Le Pen's far-right party who left to form his own anti-EU party, led another march. His group, consisting of hundreds, marched on Saturday toward the Ministry of Health.
This week, François Asselineau, leader of the small anti-EU Popular Republican Union party and an ardent activist against the health pass, did not participate in the protests as he was infected with COVID-19. In a video posted on his party's website, Asselineau, who was not hospitalized, called on the French to denounce the health pass as "absurd, unjust, and completely freedom-killing." French authorities demand the health pass as the highly contagious Delta variant spreads significantly, with over 24,000 new confirmed cases reported on Friday night, compared to only a few thousand daily at the start of the month.
