Riots in Paris as furious masked mob set cars on fire and throw Molotov cocktails at police

Cars were ignited by furious gangs of rioters in Paris today as thousands marched against a new law making it illegal to film the police.

Flames and thick black smoke filled major streets in the French capital on Saturday as youths wearing black masks and balaclavas threw missiles including Molotov Cocktails at the police.

By early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, said a local police spokesman, who said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in.

The new legislation would have created a new criminal offence for publishing images of police officers with intent to cause them harm but President Macron’s administration has since pledged to rewrite it following riots across the country. 

Despite the rewrite concession, opponents have pledged to continue to protest until it is removed completely.  

In a day of dramatic protests, cars were set alight in the street, filling the roads of Paris with plumes of thick black smoke. Pictured: A ‘yellow vest’ anti-government protestor kneels raising his fist holding a sign which reads: ‘Living, Yes! Surviving, No!’

Protesters were blocked by riot police officers during the demonstration this afternoon in Paris as yellow flares were set off

Protesters were blocked by riot police officers during the demonstration this afternoon in Paris as yellow flares were set off 

Demonstrators attempted get past the wall of riot police who blocked the street in Paris which saw fires and clashes break out in the capital

Demonstrators attempted get past the wall of riot police who blocked the street in Paris which saw fires and clashes break out in the capital

Reports suggest some members of the protest were throwing missiles at the riot police in Paris, including Molotov Cocktails

Reports suggest some members of the protest were throwing missiles at the riot police in Paris, including Molotov Cocktails

During the struggle between officers and demonstrators in Paris, the police were pelted with pink paint as well as claims of other missiles being launched at them

During the struggle between officers and demonstrators in Paris, the police were pelted with pink paint as well as claims of other missiles being launched at them

Protestors took the streets in Paris again today, after weeks of demonstrations, to campaign against the French government's proposed 'General Security' bill,  forcing the police to intervene

Protestors took the streets in Paris again today, after weeks of demonstrations, to campaign against the French government’s proposed ‘General Security’ bill,  forcing the police to intervene

Across the city fires broke out, including this car which has been set alight as part of the growing tensions between protestors and police in Paris

Across the city fires broke out, including this car which has been set alight as part of the growing tensions between protestors and police in Paris

‘They were part of a march heading towards Place de la Republique,’ said the source.

‘Vehicles and property are being set alight and officers are coming under attack. The situation is very tense.

‘There are hundreds of Black Bloc anarchists in the crowd and they are starting the fires, and smashing windows.’

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed.

Local police confirmed that by early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, Paris. Pictured: A demonstrator holds an umbrella and a sign reading 'For your safety you will have no more freedoms' during the protests

Local police confirmed that by early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, Paris. Pictured: A demonstrator holds an umbrella and a sign reading ‘For your safety you will have no more freedoms’ during the protests

A spokesperson for the local police said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in Paris

A spokesperson for the local police said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in Paris

One source described the situation as 'very tense' as police attempted to block off protestors in the French capital

One source described the situation as ‘very tense’ as police attempted to block off protestors in the French capital

Large groups of demonstrators, who were piled in together on the streets of Paris and unable to social distance, were blocked off during the demonstration

Large groups of demonstrators, who were piled in together on the streets of Paris and unable to social distance, were blocked off during the demonstration

People marched through the streets of Paris which saw fires burning and cars set alight holding signs, such as this which reads: 'Sweet France. Dear country of violence'

People marched through the streets of Paris which saw fires burning and cars set alight holding signs, such as this which reads: ‘Sweet France. Dear country of violence’

Police detained several protestors during the demonstrations, including this one individual in Marseille, southern France

Police detained several protestors during the demonstrations, including this one individual in Marseille, southern France

Police officers are reported to have dragged a protestor during the protests in Marseille today

Police officers are reported to have dragged a protestor during the protests in Marseille today

There were similar scenes a week ago in Paris when police came under continual attack around Place de Bastille.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration has pledged to rewrite a new Global Security bill which will make it illegal to publish any images of the police that might harm officers ‘physically or psychologically’.

Tensions are running particularly high because four officers are currently facing criminal charges after beating up Michel Zecler, a black music producer, two weeks ago.

More than 20 arrests were made today as violence broke out in Paris and smoke filled the streets

More than 20 arrests were made today as violence broke out in Paris and smoke filled the streets

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed

As well as shops and car windows, billboards were also destroyed by the protestors in Paris

As well as shops and car windows, billboards were also destroyed by the protestors in Paris

Violent clashes continued into the afternoon as police were forced to detain members of the protest in Paris

Violent clashes continued into the afternoon as police were forced to detain members of the protest in Paris 

Thousands of people marched in Paris, holding placards and banners against the General Security bill

Thousands of people marched in Paris, holding placards and banners against the General Security bill

As the winter evening set in in Paris, the streets were filled with colour as fires and flares continue to burn in the city

As the winter evening set in in Paris, the streets were filled with colour as fires and flares continue to burn in the city

Demonstrators have pointed to the fact that all the evidence against the police comes from CCTV footage, and film shot by passers-by outside Mr Zecler’s Black Gold studio in Paris.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he would press for the dismissal of all the officers involved, saying they had ‘soiled the uniform of the republic’.

Today, there were also demonstrations against the new law in some 89 other cities and towns beyond Paris.

Cars were seen burnt out this evening after protests resulted in cars being set alight across the capital

Cars were seen burnt out this evening after protests resulted in cars being set alight across the capital

Firefighters attended the scene in Paris this evening to extinguish a vehicle which had been set on fire

Firefighters attended the scene in Paris this evening to extinguish a vehicle which had been set on fire

Riot mobile gendarmes stand in front of a wall inscription reading 'Police everywhere, justice nowhere'

Riot mobile gendarmes stand in front of a wall inscription reading ‘Police everywhere, justice nowhere’

Protestors were seen throwing items in the street while standing beside a burning barricade in Paris

Protestors were seen throwing items in the street while standing beside a burning barricade in Paris

Some demonstrators sat on chairs watching a car which had been set alight during the clashes in Paris

Some demonstrators sat on chairs watching a car which had been set alight during the clashes in Paris

Most of France remains under coronavirus lockdown, but the forces of law and order today appeared relaxed about the large numbers turning up to demonstrate.

Protesters argue that recording officers in action is essential to being able to condemn and curb the actions of violent officers. They also worry how courts would determine whether images were posted with intent to harm.

In July, three French police officers were charged with manslaughter over the death of a delivery man, Cedric Chouviat, which bystanders caught on video.

Mr Chouviat’s death had similarities with the killing of George Floyd in the US state of Minneapolis, which sparked outrage around the world and a series of Black Lives Matter demonstrations in France.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk