At least two people sustained injuries after the police used tear gas and batons against Yellow Vest protesters in Paris, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene on Saturday.
The rally started out in the southeastern 12th arrondissement of the French capital. In addition to Yellow Vests, it was joined by opponents of COVID-19 sanitary passes and a group of demonstrators in black attire, known as regular initiators of clashes with the police.
Part of the rally attempted to divert from the scheduled route but was turned back by the police. A group of demonstrators looted a bus stop on their way. After a brief pause, the rally resumed.
The situation has been tense since the start, the correspondent said. The crowd has been aggressive, people have been seen disassembling trash cans, taking out bottles, cans and other objects to throw them at law enforcement officers.
Police used tear gas against the demonstrators, according to the correspondent.
Vandals have been setting fire to rubbish and wooden crates for storing fruit at a closed market on Boulevard Vincent-Auriol. Small fires broke out in several places and firefighting brigades have been dispatched to deal with them.
Also on Saturday, a rally against domestic and sexual violence is scheduled to take place in Paris.
Large-scale protests of Yellow Vests began in France in November 2018 with a demand not to increase fuel tax and gas prices. The movement then expanded the list of demands to incorporate a range of social and political items.
Traditional Saturday protests are often accompanied by riots and clashes with the police.