Riot police spray tear gas as they come under attack from protesters in Paris with thousands defying lockdown rules to take to the streets in cities across the world for May Day rallies

• There were 18 arrests in the French capital by mid-afternoon, with police using tear gas to quell rioting 
• Thousands also poured onto the streets of Berlin , Istanbul, Madrid, Paris and Turin for the workers' day 
• France is currently under lockdown because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but this did not stop trade unions and other organisations encouraging protests against President Emmanuel Macron's administration
• Youths wearing black balaclavas and brandishing metal bars were seen smashing shop and bank windows 

By PETER ALLEN IN PARIS FOR MAILONLINE-1 May 2021 

Riot police came under attack in Paris today as thousands took to the streets for the traditional May 1 Labour Day protests across France and the rest of the world in defiance of lockdown rules.

Thousands also poured onto the streets of Berlin, Istanbul, Madrid, Paris and Turin for the workers' day. 

There were 18 arrests in the French capital by mid-afternoon, with disturbances breaking out along the route of an organised march.

'Tear gas is being used to restore order, but the attacks are ongoing,' said an officer at the scene. 'Organised gangs are specifically targeting officers.'

France is currently under lockdown because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but this did not stop trade unions and other organisations encouraging protests against President Emmanuel Macron's administration.

There were chants of 'Macron resign' as the march rallied thousands between Republic and Nation squares on Saturday afternoon.

Youths wearing black balaclavas and brandishing metal bars were seen smashing shop and bank windows. 

BERLIN, GERMANY: Riot police take up a position in a street in the German capital tonight in front of a burning barricade

BERLIN, GERMANY: Police officers wearing riot gear take a person into custody in front of a burning barricade in Berlin tonight

BERLIN, GERMANY: Protestors throw a waste paper bin into a burning barricade this evening as they continue to take part in the May Day protests

BERLIN, GERMANY: Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze on a street during a May Day protest in Berlin this evening

BERLIN, GERMANY: A wall of police officers surrounds a fire which has broken out on a street in berlin to provide space for firefighters to tackle it

BERLIN, GERMANY: Firefighters work to put out a fire on a street in Berlin as the May day protests continue into the night

BERLIN, GERMANY: A police officer in Berlin confronts a protestor during a May day protest in the German capital this evening

PARIS, FRANCE: A water cannon is fired by police forces in the French capital to try and break up the crowds of protestors

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Police officers in riot gear move up to an advanced position during clashes at a park in Brussels this evening

PARIS, FRANCE: A protester kicks in a bank window at the International Labour Day protests on May 1 as demonstrations turned ugly as the crowds vented their fury at Emmanuel Macron

PARIS, FRANCE: A demonstrator holds a flare during demonstrations in the French capital today as they protested against Macron

PARIS, FRANCE: A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign

PARIS, FRANCE: Riot police with shields move in to quell the disruption as red hot flares are hurled in their direction near the Place de la Republique

PARIS, FRANCE: A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor screams towards French Riot Police as they protest through the streets of Paris on May Day against President Macron's economic reforms, the insufficient state of the French public health system and the French Government's response to the Covid Pandemic on May 1

Protesters stand near a burning trash bin in the street during the annual May Day

Parisians flout lockdown rules as May Day protests take place

 

TURIN, ITALY: Riot police clash with protesters during the protest of the May Day in Turin, Italy. Every year May Day is used to mark the fight for workers' rights, with unions and associations converging in the streets

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