PARIS: Tens of thousands of people have protested in cities across France against a government law-and-order crackdown that has targeted Roma Gypsies.

In Paris, leaders of leftist opposition parties marched on Saturday alongside Roma migrants whose camp had been bulldozed by authorities. Police said 12,000 people had gathered for the demonstration; organisers put the figure at 50,000.

Thousands more marched in Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes and other cities in rallies joined by human rights groups and trade unions.

Earlier, a group of celebrities from the arts world, including the actor and singer Jane Birkin, staged a protest in support of undocumented migrants outside the immigration ministry.

However, the Interior Minister, Brice Hortefeux, dismissed the protests, insisting the turnout was a disappointment for the organisers.