May Day march in Paris turns violent with horrifying images showing riot cops engulfed in flames as left-wing protesters rally against Marine Le Pen
MAY DAY demonstrators in France went on the rampage today as they rallied against right wing presidential election candidate Marine Le Pen.
Fighting broke out in central Paris during a rally held close to the Place de la Bastille, where protesters shouted “Fascists out!”
They were furious that Ms Le Pen, 48, has got through to the second round of the election to choose a new head of state.
Ms Le Pen will go head-to-head against independent favourite Emmanuel Macron, 39, on Sunday.
One Left-wing activist, who identified herself as Nicole, 22, said: “She represents racism and hatred, that’s why we’re opposing her.
“Thousands of us have come out on the street to stand up for justice and decency, and to show our shame at these fascists hoping to take over.”
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Demonstrators took part in running battles with riot police, who used tear gas and baton charges to try and keep the crowds at bay.
More than 9,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers were on duty to try to prevent trouble on what is traditionally a day of protest across France.
They were pelted with Molotov cocktails by hooded youths in shocking scenes on the streets of the French capital.
A police source quoted by the said three officers had been hurt – including one who received serious burns.
Today Ms Le Pen addressed National Front (FN) supporters at the Exhibitions Park at Villepinte, north-east of Paris, calling on “nationalist France” to rise up.
She also tweeted about the violence in Paris, writing: “I pay tribute to the two injured CRS (riot police).
“It's is this mess and this laxism that I don't want to see any more in our streets.”
She is currently trailing in opinion polls, which suggest that the independent Mr Macron will win Sunday’s poll by as much as 60 per cent.
Earlier her father Jean-Marie Le Pen laid a wreath of Joan of Arc in Paris.
Mr Le Pen, who remains the honorary president of the FN and who is funding his daughter’s election campaign with a loan worth more than £6million, told supporters to vote in their masses.
He was a frequent presidential candidate, and came second to the conservative Jacques Chirac in 1995.
Mr Macron meanwhile taunted his far-Right rivals by visiting the spot where her FN supporters murdered a Moroccan immigrant.
Mr Macron paid tribute at the Carousel Bridge, in central Paris, where Brahim Bouarram was killed by neo-Nazis attached to the party exactly 22 years ago today.
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