Clashes Between Security Forces and Protesters in Paris During Labor Day Protests

French police announced on Wednesday that they arrested 45 people in Paris during Labor Day protests, with 12 of their officers injured. Riot police used tear gas and batons to disperse the demonstrators. The police estimated the number of protesters in Paris to be around 18,000, while labor unions estimated the number to be approximately 50,000. The protesters were primarily voicing their discontent over the high cost of living and low unemployment benefits, with some waving Palestinian flags to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. According to the police, around 121,000 protesters participated in Labor Day demonstrations across France, while unions claimed the number reached 200,000. However, this number remains significantly lower than last year's protests, which unions stated had two million participants, largely due to strong opposition to the pension reforms proposed by President Emmanuel Macron, which have already been implemented.