Violence erupts during Paris protest against security law

Police fired teargas after anarchists torched cars and smashed up shop fronts

A demonstrator holds an umbrella and a sign reading "For your safety you will have no more freedoms" during a protest against the "Global Security Bill'', that right groups say would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer's face and would infringe journalists' freedom in the country, in Paris, France. Reuters

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

Firefighters put out a fire during a protest in Paris, France. Getty Images

Protesters sit in front of burning cars during a demonstration in Paris. AP Photo

A protester, surrounded by tear gas, gestures during a demonstration for 'social rights' and against the 'global security' draft law. AFP

Protesters, surrounded by tear gas, throw back canisters during a demonstration. AFP

Police officers intervene past a burning barricade during a demonstration for 'social rights' and against the 'global security' draft law. AFP

French police officers detain a protester during a demonstration for 'social rights' and against the 'global security' draft law. AFP

Firefighters work next to a car surrounded by flames during a protest against the "Global Security Bill''. Reuters

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration over the proposed security law in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration over the proposed security law in Paris, France. Getty Images

French riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Paris, France. Getty Images

Scores of hooded anarchists launched projectiles at riot police, smashed up shop fronts, torched cars and burnt barricades during a demonstration in the French capital on Saturday against police violence and a draft security law.

The police fired back volleys of teargas and made repeated charges at groups of troublemakers for close to three hours. One group of anarchists ransacked the branch office of a bank, throwing piles of paperwork on to a fire outside.

It marked the second consecutive oweekend of unrest in Paris, provoked by recent episodes of police brutality and President Emmanuel Macron's security plans, which the demonstrators say would restrict civil liberties.

Rallies also took place in Marseille, Lyon, Lille and other French cities.

Thousands of people had began marching peacefully in Paris, waving banners that read "France, land of police rights" and "Withdrawal of the security law", when the clashes erupted between police and 'Black Bloc' anarchists.

Paris police said that some 500 chasseurs – which translates as hoodlums or rioters – had infiltrated the protest, according to BFM TV. Thirty arrests had been made by late afternoon, the force said.

France has been hit by a wave of street protests after the government introduced a security bill in parliament that set out to increase its surveillance tools and restrict rights on circulating images of police officers in the media and online.

The bill was part of Mr Macron's drive to get tougher on law and order before elections in 2022. His government also said the police needed to be better protected from online hate.

But the draft legislation provoked a public backlash.

The beating of a Black man, music producer Michel Zecler, by several police officers in late November intensified anger. That incident came to light after closed circuit television and mobile phone footage circulated online. In a U-turn earlier this week, Mr Macron's ruling party said it would rewrite the article that curbs rights to circulate images of police officers. But many opponents say that is not enough.

"We're heading towards an increasingly significant limitation of freedoms. There is no justification," said Paris resident Karine Shebabo.

Another protester, Xavier Molenat, said: "France has this habit of curbing freedoms while preaching their importance to others."

Mr Macron acknowledged on Friday that people of colour were more likely to be stopped by police for ID checks than whites. He said an online platform would be created for citizens to log unwarranted searches.

The president's remarks drew a furious response from police unions on Saturday. Alliance Police called Mr Macron's comments shameful and denied the force was racist. The Alternative Police union threatened to halt random checks.