Thousands continue to rampage across Paris as gay marriage protest enters second day of violence



French capital marred by second day of protest over gay marriage



Far-right demonstrators turn violent last night and were tear-gassed



Police and photographers were attacked by rioting extremists



French politics polarised after economic woes and high unemployment

Almost 300 people were arrested in Paris as thousands protested against gay marriage, just days ahead of France’s first gay wedding.

The arrests followed a city centre rally involving 150,000 on Sunday night. Protesters threw rocks and smoke bombs while police responded with tear gas and baton charges. Journalists were also attacked, with at least two seriously injured.

The worst clashes involved CRS riot police and hooded right-wing ‘ultras’ around some of Paris’s most famous landmarks, including Les Invalides.

Rally: Violence began after a demonstration against gay marriage in the capital on Sunday

Demonstration: The anti-gay marriage rally marched past Parisian landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower

Riots: Protesters threw flares at police as far-right demonstrators joined the violence

Riot policemen carry a protestor against gay marriage. Police made around 100 arrests

Far-right protesters wave a flag of the French student political group GUD (Groupe Union Defense) as they face riot policemen

France’s gay marriage law, making it the 14th country to allow same sex unions, was passed in the French parliament on May 18.

‘Traditional France has been threatened by these new measures and that’s why we have taken to the streets,’ said Jerome Martin, a 23-year-old protester.

‘The violence highlights the frustration we feel at having been betrayed by liberal politicians.’

Mr Martin spoke as hundreds threw rocks and smoke bombs at the police, who responded with tear gas and baton charges.



There were numerous injuries on both sides, with the worst fights breaking out on the grass esplanade opposite Les Invalides, and in surrounding streets.



Journalists were also attacked, with at least two seriously injured.



The area is next door to the French parliament, where President Francois Hollande’s Socialist government introduced and then passed the gay marriage bill.

Murky: Anti-gay marriage demonstrators silhouetted against the police's tear gas

Clashes: A policeman wearing civilian clothes kicks a protester in Paris on the sidelines of the demonstration

Police used tear gas on the violent protestors. Officers were on high alert amid warnings hardliners could infiltrate the demonstration and cause trouble

Policemen wearing civilian clothes arrest a far-right protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, used by protestors the world over

Advance: Protesters threaten police with a barrier on the sidelines of the demonstrations against a gay marriage law

A riot policeman hits protestors with pepper spray. There were an estimated 200 hardcore violent demonstrators who refused to disperse

A protester taunts police. Many hid their faces with scarves, hoods and masks to prevent identification

It meant that France became the 14th country in the world to allow same sex unions.



The protests, which are strongly backed by the Roman Catholic Church, have become a chance for the French right to rally against the left.



Interior Minister Manuel Valls said some 100 known far-right protesters were among those arrested in the early hours of Monday.



Some 4,500 police officers were on duty in Paris on Sunday to deal with the huge crowds.



France’s first gay wedding is due to take place on Wednesday in Montpellier, in the south of the country.

Despite the violent rally, a survey published on Sunday showed 53 per cent of French people support gay marriage and adoption.



Protesters run in the streets. Some hung a banner urging Hollande to go Crackdown: Policemen arrest a far-right protester after the demonstration turned violent A tear gas grenade drops into the midst of protestors. The demonstration was also held to show frustration with President Francois Hollande Some of the protestors were affiliated with ultra-nationalist organisations Violent: Right-wing protesters also attacked photojournalists Thousands of supporters of the anti-gay marriage movement 'La Manif Pour Tous' (Demonstration for all) wave flags and placards as they gather near the Invalides square in Paris

Egalite: The French Parliament approved a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and to adopt children

Fraternite? The reform has often sparked violent street protests and a rise in homophobic attacks

Resistance: A gay marriage opponent waves flags at the Esplanade des Invalides

But the mass rallies have contributed to President Hollande’s low popularity ratings.

His administration has been plagued by economic recession and unemployment has now hit more than 10 per cent, but Hollande got some welcome news on Sunday, after his popularity inched up four points to 29 per cent this month.



Although it failed to block gay marriage, the protest movement hopes its show of force will delay or stop further laws allowing assisted procreation and surrogate motherhood for gay couples.

The situation began to escalate on Tuesday when writer Dominique Venner, who is linked to a far-right French nationalist party, shot and killed himself inside Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral.



Non: People wave trademark pink, blue and white flags at the Esplanade des Invalides as they attend a protest march against France's legalisation of same-sex marriage

The protest was called 'La Manif pour Tous' (Demonstration for All)

He had called for 'spectacular' action to protect France’s identity, and was denouncing same-sex marriage law.

Hollande’s Socialist Party denounced the protest, highlighting the fact that the law has already passed in parliament and was validated by the Constitutional Council.

The conservative opposition UMP party was split over whether to continue the rallies.

UMP President Jean-Francois Cope and several other party leaders joined the march and urged young protesters to join his party as a 'new UMP generation' and campaign against the left-wing government.



But several other UMP leaders, including former conservative prime ministers Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe, kept their distance, saying lawmakers should exercise their influence in parliament rather than march in street protests.



The protests have grown into a wider opposition movement against the unpopular President Hollande



