Paris May Day riots see mask-wearing anarchists burn down businesses bringing chaos to the French capital

THOUSANDS of masked anarchists hurled petrol bombs and burnt down businesses on the streets of Paris as May Day protests took a violent turn.

MORE than 200 people have been arrested in Paris as a May Day trade union rally erupted in violence.

Police used water cannon and tear gas as about 1500 hooded and masked rioters tore through the city setting fire to businesses and vehicles.

A McDonald’s restaurant and Renault garage in the east of the city were ransacked and set alight, while riot police were attacked with rocks.

People look at a fire burning down a car and a motorbike during a demonstration on the side lines of the march for the annual May Day workers' rally, in Paris. Picture: AFP/Alain Jocard

Protesters wear masks as thousands of people take to the streets during the May Day demonstrations on May 1. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

A protester lights a flare during a demonstration. Picture: AFP/Alain Jocard

This year’s traditional May Day protests were intended as a message of defiance at president Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to reform and modernise labour laws. In a bid to stimulate the stagnant French economy and reduce unemployment, he has been making it easier for bosses to fire workers while limiting cushy work conditions, leading to outrage from the unions.

Philippe Martinez, leader of the hard-Left CGT union, said last night: “If we do nothing, the government will not back down.”

Unions put the number of peaceful protesters at the May Day rally at about 55,000, though police said it was just under 20,000 — a figure well down on previous years.

A protester holds a strip of fireworks as they explode for the annual May Day workers' rally in Paris. Picture: AFP/Alain Jocard

Many of the rioters were believed to be members of Left-wing anti-capitalist movement Black Bloc.

Social media posts had announced that yesterday would be a ‘Revolutionary Day’ to coincide with other demonstrations across Europe.

A Paris police spokesman said: “They have mainly targeted places of business, including branches of McDonald’s and banks.”

Interior minister Gerard Collomb said “the violence was completely unacceptable”, adding that “everything was being done to arrest” those responsible.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said there was particular anger at protesters covering their faces. He added: “When you have sincere convictions, you demonstrate with your face unmasked. Those who wear hoods are the enemies of democracy.” This year’s May Day also fell on the 50th anniversary of the 1968 spring riots in France, when president Charles de Gaulle fled to Germany as the country came close to civil war and economic collapse.

Originally published as Paris May Day riots see mask-wearing anarchists burn down businesses bringing chaos to the French capital