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France labour dispute: Dozens arrested in Paris ahead of protest France labour law: Thousands protest in Paris
(about 7 hours later)
At least 85 people were arrested in Paris as thousands took part in a protest against France's labour reforms, police said. Tens of thousands of people have taken part in a protest in Paris against France's labour reforms.
Many were carrying objects that could be used as projectiles, according to police, who searched protesters as they arrived at the Place de la Bastille. About 2,000 riot police were deployed to prevent a repeat of the violent clashes during the last demonstration on 14 June.
Some 100 people were arrested before Thursday's march set off from the Place de la Bastille.
Most of those held were wearing scarves or other items which could be used to conceal their identities, police said.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the march was held under "optimal conditions" with no clashes or damage reported.
"No teargas was fired... no-one was injured," he said.
The march was initially banned but ministers reversed their decision after a public uproar.The march was initially banned but ministers reversed their decision after a public uproar.
The last protest in Paris earlier this month ended in violence.
Hundreds of masked protesters on 14 June threw paving stones and a children's hospital in central Paris was badly damaged.
The protesters object to government reforms that make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers and relax the limit on working hours.The protesters object to government reforms that make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers and relax the limit on working hours.
But French President Francois Hollande said the government would not retreat from the reform. French President Francois Hollande has said the government will not retreat from the reform.
"We will take this bill to the finish line," he told reporters as demonstrators were gathering in central Paris, where more than 2,000 police officers have been deployed. "We will take this bill to the finish line," he told reporters.
Union officials said 60,000 people were at the Paris march, but police said there were 20,000 demonstrators. Protests were also being held in other French cities.
Protests were also being held in other French cities, with reports of damage in the north-western city of Rennes. In the western city of Rennes, protesters torched a car, attacked police headquarters and smashed store fronts, French news agency AFP reported.
French labour reform bill - key points:French labour reform bill - key points:
Does France's workforce really have it easy?Does France's workforce really have it easy?