It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
French firefighters faced off against riot police in Paris on Tuesday.
The riot police deployed water cannons, smoke grenades and erected large metal barriers to block off the fire service protestors.
The riot police continue to use crowd control grenades despite controversies stemming from their use against both the Yellow Vest protestors and the pension reform protesters.
The video footage shows the moment riot police hit protestors with their batons.
Some firefighters can be seen stumbling and attempting to get back up at their feet while pushing the riot police back.
Macron’s riot squad break into violent clash with protesting firefighters - VIDEO (Image: Bryan MacDonald )
Multiple videos have been circulating on social media showing violent clashes break out between the two groups. (Image: Bryan MacDonald )
Multiple videos have been circulating on social media showing violent clashes break out between the two groups.
The police argued that many protesting firefighters had abandoned the prearranged route which ultimately resulted in fierce clashes with the riot police.
At one point during the protest, multiple firefighters symbolically set themselves on fire.
At one point during the protest, multiple firefighters symbolically set themselves on fire. (Image: Reuters)
Professional firefighters represent just 16 percent of the 247,000 firefighters in France, with the remainder comprising volunteers and military personnel.
Tuesday’s march was the second national demonstration by the professional firefighter's unions in less than four months; the strike movement began back in June 2019 after proposed reforms to the national pension scheme were announced.
Emmanuel Macron’s riot police have continuously come under criticism for using too much force against protestors. (Image: Bryan MacDonald )
Emmanuel Macron’s riot police have continuously come under criticism for using too much force against protestors.
Police have defended these actions by insisting officers had to “systematically intervene” to stop “abuses committed by violent groups.”
Yellow Vest protests have been taking to the streets to protests every weekend since November 2018 with many calling for Mr Macron to step down as President.
France: Clashes in Paris as firefighters and police face off
Tension erupted as police forces and firefighters clashed on a day of mass protests in Paris, on Tuesday.
Scuffles broke out when police reportedly fired water cannons at firefighters who had rallied in the French capital to demand better working conditions and a pay raise. Footage filmed on Tuesday shows police beating the firefighters with sticks and using what it appeared to be pepper spray.
Firefighters are demanding an increase from 19 per cent to 25 per cent in their 'risk pay', as they claim staff shortages have been making their job more difficult.
A previous protest held by French firefighters in October was marred by clashes with police in Paris and in the southern city of Dijon.
French riot police clash with protesting firefighters in Paris
French riot police clashed with uniformed firefighters at protests in Paris on Tuesday, in extraordinary scenes where police used batons and shields against crowds of angry fire officers in helmets.
Thousands of firefighters held a demonstration in the French capital, as part of long-running protest movement asking for better pay and conditions, including an increase in their hazard bonus which has not changed since 1990.
Some firefighters set their uniforms alight as a symbolic gesture before colleagues put out the fires. But as a group of fire officers attempted to lead their demonstration into a sidestreet, riot officers pushed them back. Teargas was fired and scuffles broke out.
\ Firefighters simulate setting themselves on fire during the protest in Paris. Photograph: Charles Platiau/Reuters
Videos of the clashes went viral on social media amid growing pressure on the government over French police tactics of crowd control at demonstrations.
A number of recent videos showing what appeared to be unjustified police violence at other demonstrations have sparked outrage on social media. Afterscores of serious injuries from police weapons during the gilets jaunes anti-government protests last year, and complaints of heavy-handedness at pensions protests, lawyers have begun accusing the French president, Emmanuel Macron, of presiding the most heavy-handed approach to street demonstrationsin France since the protests of May 1968.
More than 200 alleged abuses related to police handling of the yellow vest protests have been signaled to the General Inspectorate of the National Police watchdog – and the media estimate there have been been dozens of serious injuries among protestors, including lost eyes and at least five severed hands.
For months, the government has held firm, defending police tactics and policy but, as local elections approach this spring, Macron’s tone has begun to change.
The president warned last week that the “unacceptable behaviour” of some officers risked undermining the “credibility and dignity” of the force. But he also denounced the violence of some extremist protesters, who have hurled pavingstones and other projectiles at security forces during protests.
The French interior minister, Christophe Castaner, this week announced that France would withdraw from use of one particular brand of explosive teargas grenade used by riot police, which has been blamed for injuring numerous protestors. But rights groups and lawyers immediately criticised the government for a “political announcement”, saying that this particular model of grenade had already been discontinued by manufacturers. They said other equivalent grenades would remain in use by French police to the same effect.
The “sting-ball” grenades contain 25g of TNT high-explosive. France is the only European country where crowd-control police use such powerful grenades, which deliver an explosion of small rubber balls that creates a stinging effect as well as launching an additional load of teargas. The grenades create a deafening effect that has been likened to the sound of an aircraft taking off.
One French lawyer handling several cases of alleged police violence said: “Withdrawing one type of grenade doesn’t change anything, other grenades which are still in use do the same thing.”
Marion Guémas from Action by Christians Against Torture, which has campaigned to end the use of all such grenades, said: “We observe that the use of certain weapons is not appropriate for maintaining public order and can lead to an escalation in violence”.
She called for a review of the French police’s use of weapons in crowd-control.
In recent months, France has seen a wave of protests - from the Yellow Vest movement to demonstrations against pension reform. While alleged cases of police brutality are on the rise, with videos of suspected police misconduct widely shared on social media, many police officers argue they're only matching the level of violence they're facing from protesters. Our team reports.
French firefighters face off with French riot police as they demonstrate to protest against working conditions, in Paris, France, January 28, 2020.REUTERS/Charles Platiau French police clash with firefighters on Paris streets as protests turn violent
Police deploy tear gas and batons against protesters as firefighters demand better working conditions
Anthony Cuthbertson Paris @ADCuthbertson Reuters Firefighters in Paris have clashed with police amid protests over working conditions and a lack of pay reforms.
Violent scenes were shared across social media, showing police using tear gas and batons against the protesters.
The firefighters are demanding an increase to their hazard bonus to bring it in line with those granted to the police and gendarmes.
Firefighter unions called for an increase in risk pay from 19 per cent to 28 per cent of the basic salary, as well as guarantees that their current pension plans remain in place.
“We are the last link in emergency services in France, and we are overwhelmed by calls and interventions,” Frédéric Perrin, president of the SPASDIS-CFTC union, told the news agency Agence France-Presse. “We need more manpower and the means to respond to it, but also the guarantee that we focus mainly on our missions, the emergency, and not serve as supplements to absent health services.”
France strikes: Chaotic scenes as unrest continues Show all 18
It is the second time in four months that firefighters have protested in the French capital, having demonstrated in October for similar reasons.
French firefighters have also been a consistent presence at nationwide protests against sweeping pension reforms in recent weeks, often marching at the front of the procession in order to prevent police and protesters from clashing.
Tuesday’s protests are expected to end at 6pm at Place de la Nation.
The Paris police department posted a video appearing to show firefighters attempting to force down a barrier.
“Respect for the rules applies to everyone, no matter the nature of the protest,” the force tweeted.
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