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| French police clash with anti-racism activists in Paris | French police clash with anti-racism activists in Paris |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| French police have clashed with activists protesting in Paris against racism and alleged police brutality. | French police have clashed with activists protesting in Paris against racism and alleged police brutality. |
| Police used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters who tried to hold a march that was banned. | Police used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters who tried to hold a march that was banned. |
| The rally is part is a worldwide movement inspired by America's Black Lives Matter protests. | The rally is part is a worldwide movement inspired by America's Black Lives Matter protests. |
| It was organised under the banner "Justice for Adama", after Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in French police custody in 2016. | It was organised under the banner "Justice for Adama", after Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in French police custody in 2016. |
| What happened in Paris? | What happened in Paris? |
| About 15,000 anti-racism protesters gathered on the Place de la République in central Paris early on Saturday afternoon. | About 15,000 anti-racism protesters gathered on the Place de la République in central Paris early on Saturday afternoon. |
| They chanted slogans such as "No justice, no peace". Some climbed on the the statue of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic. | They chanted slogans such as "No justice, no peace". Some climbed on the the statue of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic. |
| Among the protesters was Assa Traoré, Adama's sister, who called on them to "denounce social, racial, police violence". | Among the protesters was Assa Traoré, Adama's sister, who called on them to "denounce social, racial, police violence". |
| "What's happening in the United States is happening in France. Our brothers are dying," she added. | "What's happening in the United States is happening in France. Our brothers are dying," she added. |
| Although the protesters were allowed to gather, they were prevented by police from marching to the Opera area. | Although the protesters were allowed to gather, they were prevented by police from marching to the Opera area. |
| The planned onward march had been banned because of the possible threat to local businesses. | The planned onward march had been banned because of the possible threat to local businesses. |
| Clashes erupted and tear gas was fired as officers moved against the protesters on the Place de la République. | Clashes erupted and tear gas was fired as officers moved against the protesters on the Place de la République. |
| Le Parisien newspaper says 26 people were questioned by police. By early evening the demonstrators had dispersed. | Le Parisien newspaper says 26 people were questioned by police. By early evening the demonstrators had dispersed. |
| Smaller protests were held in other French cities, including Lyon and Marseille. | Smaller protests were held in other French cities, including Lyon and Marseille. |
| Why are French police in the spotlight? | Why are French police in the spotlight? |
| France's police watchdog says it received almost 1,500 complaints against officers last year - half of them for alleged violence. | France's police watchdog says it received almost 1,500 complaints against officers last year - half of them for alleged violence. |
| In one recent case, police are accused of seriously wounding a 14-year-old boy when he was detained on suspicion of trying to steal a scooter in Bondy near Paris last month. | In one recent case, police are accused of seriously wounding a 14-year-old boy when he was detained on suspicion of trying to steal a scooter in Bondy near Paris last month. |
| On Monday Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced a ban on the police "chokehold" method for restraining some suspects. | On Monday Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced a ban on the police "chokehold" method for restraining some suspects. |
| The announcement came after protesters took to the streets accusing French police of using brutality towards minorities. | The announcement came after protesters took to the streets accusing French police of using brutality towards minorities. |
| Mr Castaner vowed that there would be "zero tolerance" of racism in law enforcement. | |
| He has faced a backlash from police unions and officers, who denied that racism was rampant within their ranks. | He has faced a backlash from police unions and officers, who denied that racism was rampant within their ranks. |
| On Friday officers rallied on the Champs-Élysées throwing their handcuffs on the ground. | On Friday officers rallied on the Champs-Élysées throwing their handcuffs on the ground. |
| France is one many countries that has seen a wave of anti-racism marches modelled on the latest Black Lives Matter protests in the US. | France is one many countries that has seen a wave of anti-racism marches modelled on the latest Black Lives Matter protests in the US. |
| They were sparked by the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed on 25 May by a white Minneapolis policeman who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. | They were sparked by the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed on 25 May by a white Minneapolis policeman who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. |
| On Friday US President Donald Trump said the chokehold method should be ended. | On Friday US President Donald Trump said the chokehold method should be ended. |
| More on George Floyd's death: | More on George Floyd's death: |