Above: Demonstrators clash with CRS riot policemen near the Place de la Republique after the cancellation of a planned climate march following shootings in the French capital, ahead of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), in Paris, France, November 29, 2015. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard.
Update: Media reports now indicate that more than 200 were arrested.
Note: Photos, tweets and videos have been added to the original story.
Crowds gathered in the French capital on Sunday to attend a global march for the climate, despite the ban on gatherings enforced by French authorities. When one of the groups charged a police cordon, tear gas was deployed to push them back.
“Huge amounts” of tear gas were fired at protesters near Place de la Republique in central Paris, according to witnesses’ reports on Twitter, with objects flying in the direction of security forces.
The march, which was set to take place in dozens of cities around the world, was restricted in the French capital falling under the ban on gatherings introduced after the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
Clashes at climate march in Paris LIVE NOW: https://t.co/OxluNBsRsD #Climat2Paix https://t.co/W8qNTfvpqg
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
La Republique metro station, closest to the scene, has been closed by authorities, citing security measures. The riot police repeatedly attempted to push back the activists, spraying the crowds with tear gas. Ahead of the summit, 24 green activists were put under house arrest, with police saying they were suspected of planning violent protests, according to Reuters. Around 100 people were detained as a result of the scuffles, AP reported citing police.
Charge de crs au niveau rue du temple #Republique lacrymos a gogo pic.twitter.com/RcriPoba3H — Christophe Gueugneau (@gueugneau) November 29, 2015
While it was initially expected that some 400,000 people would gather in Paris ahead of UN climate change talks taking place at Le Bourget outside the capital, hundreds of activists took to the streets despite the emergency measures.
Protesters first formed a human chain, and then around 200 activists, some wearing masks, clashed with police on a street leading to the square, Reuters reported.
Manifestation interdite à république, des éléments violents s’en prennent aux forces de l’ordre. pic.twitter.com/eWbqSah4VZ
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) November 29, 2015
Police and protesters clash in Paris , huge amounts of tear gas fired @RT_com @Ruptly pic.twitter.com/805duoIIA8 — Jon Scammell (@JonScammell) November 29, 2015
Climate March that never was is now officially cancelled. pic.twitter.com/FjwdgUOUL0
— Karl Mathiesen (@KarlMathiesen) November 29, 2015
Earlier in the day, people opted for more peaceful ways to be heard by politicians at the climate talks. While some were holding hands standing on sidewalks in central Paris, some activists brought their shoes to the Place de la Republique and hundreds of pairs appeared at the square.
Massive ‘Shoe protest’ held in Paris against banned Climate march https://t.co/wDCgn7XyUR pic.twitter.com/IyZNjKd74R — Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
Paris. The shoes of those denied the right to march for climate justice. #ClimateMarch pic.twitter.com/L8F4IXgVxM
— Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) November 29, 2015
When the scuffles erupted, some of those shoes were thrown at police, witnesses said on social media.
Police pepper spray protester in Paris FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/OxluNBsRsD #Climat2Paix https://t.co/jAPsVq2p4E — Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
Jets de bouteilles et de bougies du mémorial attentats contre la police et lacrymogènes pic.twitter.com/LHRZeqn0xQ
— Pascale Trouillaud (@PTrouillaud) November 29, 2015
The important environmental meeting in Paris, known as COP21, will be attended by nearly 150 world leaders and about 22,000 other officials. During the two-week event, participants, including the world’s top three carbon-emitting countries (US, China and India), will attempt to reach a global deal on cutting carbon emissions to limit climate change and keep average global temperatures from rising 2 degrees Celsius. State leaders have expressed hope for progress, after most countries submitted pledges and measures to reduce their own CO2 emissions. But the UN, which seeks to impose top-down targets, has opposed the voluntary moves. – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Agencie France Presse reports Thousands of climate activists linked hands Sunday near the site of the deadliest of the November 13 Paris attacks, pleading for leaders to curb global warming on the eve of a UN summit. People of all ages joined in a human chain stretching for two kilometres (1.2 miles) along a wind-blown Boulevard Voltaire in eastern Paris, the first organised demonstration since the bombing and shooting assault claimed by the Islamic State group that killed 130 people. Out of respect for the dead, they left a 100-metre (300-foot) gap in front of a makeshift flower and candle memorial set up outside the Bataclan concert hall where 90 people lost their lives. Riot police deployed to guard the area, with armed officers fanning out in front of the massacre site. “Hear our voices! We are here!” cried the demonstrators ahead of the 195-nation UN summit, which aims to reach the first truly global accord to limit greenhouse emissions and avert a global climate disaster. “For a climate of peace”, read banners held by the protesters. More tweets not included in the original story
Activists claim right to be in the streets of Paris, declaring “climate state of emergency”, chant “liberte!” pic.twitter.com/brOrdROmwD — Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) November 29, 2015
Global march for the climate held in Paris despite ban on gatherings LIVE NOW: https://t.co/OxluNBsRsD #Climat2Paix https://t.co/cwljONA4MY
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
“We are here. Hear our voices.” Denied right to march, “People’s Climate Chain.” Paris #COP21 #ClimateMarch pic.twitter.com/f56Sslxd5t — Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) November 29, 2015
Paris. pic.twitter.com/OnA5gxfkuR
— Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) November 29, 2015
She seen a few of these days. pic.twitter.com/3XlFiVK0Ye — Karl Mathiesen (@KarlMathiesen) November 29, 2015
“We have 10 trillion members” say the activist clown collective. pic.twitter.com/hnPuw83T7M
— Karl Mathiesen (@KarlMathiesen) November 29, 2015
“@JonScammell: Police again move in on protesters in Place de la Republique pic.twitter.com/S4Cya6feCL” — Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
Riot police trying to shut down the protest in Paris FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/OxluNBsRsD #Climat2Paix https://t.co/AN6yTHjgP8
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015
VIDEO. Police advance on peaceful seated protesters, beat them with clubs. #COP21 #Marcheclimat pic.twitter.com/KCilNX57We — Lacy MacAuley (@lacymacauley) November 29, 2015
In photos, tension high as police and protesters clash in Paris FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/OxluNBbgB5 #Climat2Paix pic.twitter.com/r7uAlPSe85
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) November 29, 2015