Streets across France have witnessed unusual scenes as people dressed as superheroes, including Black Panther, Captain America, Spider-Man, Superman and Deadpool, joined demonstrations that have kept the country on edge for weeks. Videos circulating from protest sites show people in superhero costumes performing action moves, filming their activities and interacting…...
Streets across France have witnessed unusual scenes as people dressed as superheroes, including Black Panther, Captain America, Spider-Man, Superman and Deadpool, joined demonstrations that have kept the country on edge for weeks.
Videos circulating from protest sites show people in superhero costumes performing action moves, filming their activities and interacting with demonstrators as police deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
One video from a protest site in Paris shows individuals dressed as Black Panther and Captain America surrounded by protesters taking pictures with them. The pair are also seen raising slogans and shouting to encourage the crowd as security personnel guard the area behind barricades.
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The scenes come as nearly 1,000 people have been arrested in France following another day of demonstrations on Saturday, when hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets and clashes with police were reported in several cities.
According to the BBC, police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Paris and other cities after demonstrations that were largely peaceful. In Marseille, barricades were set alight, while protesters in Bordeaux dismantled boards from a building.
However, authorities have so far prevented a repeat of the widespread rioting and looting that followed the previous weekend’s demonstrations, which led to more than 2,500 arrests and extensive damage to businesses.
France’s interior ministry estimated that 410,000 people participated in Saturday’s protests, while trade unions put the turnout at approximately 800,000.
About 70,000 police officers were deployed across the country, with restrictions introduced in several cities as authorities sought to prevent the demonstrations from escalating into widespread disorder.
The protests have been driven by grievances over rising living costs and poor school conditions. President Emmanuel Macron had earlier declared that only demonstrations organised by recognised trade unions would be permitted.
Hundreds of people have also been jailed in recent days following expedited court hearings over offences linked to vandalism, arson and looting.