Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France&nbsp;on&nbsp;Labour Day to&nbsp;protest and&nbsp;vent their anger against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, and clashed with security forces across the country,&nbsp;on Monday (May 1). The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters that at least 108 police were wounded and 291 people detained across France as violence erupted at May Day protests.&nbsp;

What happened at these protests?

The French interior ministry had earlier said that at least 782,000 people protested across France on Monday for May Day out of which some 112,000 protesters were in Paris alone. Meanwhile, the CGT union said it counted 2.3 million protesters across France, including 550,000 in the capital, reported news agency AFP.&nbsp;

According to media reports, protesters clashed with security personnel which has since left over 100 police officers injured and nearly 300 people were arrested across France after violence erupted in several cities.&nbsp;

Protesters in the capital city of Paris were seen throwing projectiles at police and breaking windows of businesses such as banks and estate agents while security forces responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Paris protesters also torched a bicycle docking station where flames burned from the street and black smoke billowed into the sky while police were seen pushing back on the crowd of onlookers, as per reports from Reuters.

According to the interior minister, one officer was badly injured when he was struck by a fiery projectile, as demonstrators pelted police with Molotov cocktails and fireworks. This came after police sought to disperse the protest at its end point which prompted the fire service to intervene.

In southern France’s Toulouse tensions erupted during demonstrations after which&nbsp;security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters. Meanwhile, four cars were set on fire in the southeastern city of Lyon, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Furthermore, in the southern city of Marseille protesters briefly occupied the luxury InterContinental hotel where they reportedly broke a few flowerpots and damaged furniture.&nbsp;

French PM slams protests&nbsp;

France has been rocked by nationwide protests against president Macron who last month signed a law to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite months of strikes against the bill.&nbsp;

“In many cities in France, this May Day was a moment for responsible mobilisation and commitment. The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the demonstrations are all the more unacceptable,” French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Similarly, the interior minister also said that such a high toll of police wounded was “extremely rare” for a May 1 protest day, as the turnout was significantly higher than May Day last year but quite lower than some of the biggest protests seen against the pension reform this year.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Labour Day to protest and vent their anger against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, and clashed with security forces across the country, on Monday (May 1).

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Labour Day to protest and vent their anger against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, and clashed with security forces across the country, on Monday (May 1). The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters that at least 108 police were wounded and 291 people detained across France as violence erupted at May Day protests. What happened at these protests? The French interior ministry had earlier said that at least 782,000 people protested across France on Monday for May Day out of which some 112,000 protesters were in Paris alone. Meanwhile, the CGT union said it counted 2.3 million protesters across France, including 550,000 in the capital, reported news agency AFP. According to media reports, protesters clashed with security personnel which has since left over 100 police officers injured and nearly 300 people were arrested across France after violence erupted in several cities. Protesters in the capital city of Paris were seen throwing projectiles at police and breaking windows of businesses such as banks and estate agents while security forces responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons, reported AFP. Meanwhile, Paris protesters also torched a bicycle docking station where flames burned from the street and black smoke billowed into the sky while police were seen pushing back on the crowd of onlookers, as per reports from Reuters. According to the interior minister, one officer was badly injured when he was struck by a fiery projectile, as demonstrators pelted police with Molotov cocktails and fireworks. This came after police sought to disperse the protest at its end point which prompted the fire service to intervene. In southern France’s Toulouse tensions erupted during demonstrations after which security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters. Meanwhile, four cars were set on fire in the southeastern city of Lyon, reported AFP. Furthermore, in the southern city of Marseille protesters briefly occupied the luxury InterContinental hotel where they reportedly broke a few flowerpots and damaged furniture. French PM slams protests France has been rocked by nationwide protests against president Macron who last month signed a law to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite months of strikes against the bill. “In many cities in France, this May Day was a moment for responsible mobilisation and commitment. The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the demonstrations are all the more unacceptable,” French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne wrote on Twitter. Similarly, the interior minister also said that such a high toll of police wounded was “extremely rare” for a May 1 protest day, as the turnout was significantly higher than May Day last year but quite lower than some of the biggest protests seen against the pension reform this year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

French May Day protests: At least 108 police officers injured, 291 arrested; PM slams 'unacceptable' violence

IN PICS | Protests, rallies, demonstrations: Here's how people marked May Day across the world

May Day 2023: May Day is a festival with its roots in Europe that marks the beginning of summer. It is usually celebrated on May 1, which is exactly around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Some festivities are also held the night before the May Day, which is known as May Eve. It is celebrated across Europe in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and England.&nbsp;

Different countries follow different traditions to celebrate the days, some even have distinct names for the day, but the essence of the day more or less remains the same. May 1 is also observed as International Workers’ Day since 1899 to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago and the struggle for an eight-hour working day.&nbsp;

Some have the view that May Day and International Labour Day are the same, but these two days have no relation to each other.&nbsp;

<h2>May Day 2023: Origins of May Day&nbsp;</h2>

May Day has its origins in astronomy. In ancient times, this day was one of the Celtic cross-quarter days, which marked the midway points between the four solstices and equinoxes of the year. But when it comes to early holidays related to this day, it has more roots in agriculture than astronomy.

It was a celebration of sown fields that have started to sprout. It celebrates the springtime festivities with songs and dances around the bonfires. Cattle were driven to pasture and doors of houses were decorated with yellow May flowers.&nbsp;

In the Middle Ages, the Gaelic people celebrated the festival of Beltane, which means ‘Day of Fire’. People used to create massive bonfires and dance at night to celebrate.&nbsp;

It became popular in England with various traditions, eventually arriving in America. Children would dance around the maypole, holding ribbons. People would ‘bring in the May’ by gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral hoops and hair garlands and crowning a May king and queen. &nbsp;

<h2>May Day 2023: Some iconic traditions</h2>

Making a May Basket

People weave a paper basket containing spring flowers and sweets and leave it on each other’s doorsteps. Some also use a cone with these flowers and generally leave it at neighbour’s doors anonymously.&nbsp;

This tradition was popularised in the 19th and 20th centuries. The custom was to knock on the doorbell and yell ‘May basket’ and then run away. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss.
<img alt="May Day basket" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb9fd024-df26-42d0-aed9-8ac6057cee66" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-01T105158.510.png" />
Louisa May Alcott wrote about May Basket Day in the late 1800s. In the 1920s, some bold schoolchildren hung a May basket on the White House door for First Lady Grace Coolidge.

Maypole dance

Originally the maypole used to be a living tree that was chosen from the woods with much merrymaking. Ancient Celts danced around the tree, praying for the fertility of their crops and all living things. For young people, it was also a time of courtship.&nbsp;

If a young woman and a man paired by sundown, their courtship continued so that the couple could get to know each other and possibly marry each other six weeks later on June’s Midsummer’s Day. This is how the ‘June wedding’ became a tradition.
<img alt="Maypole dance " data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="69520fc1-b2b0-4e9e-8f6c-ef2f08483108" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-01T105327.519.png" />
In the Middle Ages, all villages used to have maypoles. Towns would compete to see who had the tallest or best maypole. Over time, this Old English festival incorporated dance performances, plays, and literature. People would crown‘May Queen’ for the day’s festivities.&nbsp;

Today the Maypole dance is majorly celebrated in schools, from elementary through college, as a fun spring activity.&nbsp;

<h2>May Day 2023: Different ways of celebrations</h2>

Apart from these traditions, the festival is celebrated in numerous different ways to mark the return of spring.&nbsp;

1. Some people wash their face with dew on the morning of May 1 to beautify the skin and bring them some good luck.&nbsp;

2. People in Britain welcome spring by ‘Bringing in the May’ or gathering cuttings of flowering trees like magnolia, lilac or redbud for their homes.&nbsp;

3. In Hawai, the day is called ‘Lei Day’ and people make pretty leis. Leis are garlands or wreaths that are often made with native Hawaiian flowers and leaves. These are symbols of greeting, farewell, affection, celebration and honour.&nbsp;

4. In Ireland, people would make a May bush, typically a thorn bush decorated with flowers and ribbons.

5. Farmers plant turnips on this day to protect cucumbers from insects.&nbsp;

 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

May Day 2023: May Day is a festival with its roots in Europe that marks the beginning of summer. It is usually celebrated on May 1, which is exactly around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.

May Day 2023: May Day is a festival with its roots in Europe that marks the beginning of summer. It is usually celebrated on May 1, which is exactly around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Some festivities are also held the night before the May Day, which is known as May Eve. It is celebrated across Europe in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and England. Different countries follow different traditions to celebrate the days, some even have distinct names for the day, but the essence of the day more or less remains the same. May 1 is also observed as International Workers’ Day since 1899 to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago and the struggle for an eight-hour working day. Some have the view that May Day and International Labour Day are the same, but these two days have no relation to each other. May Day 2023: Origins of May Day May Day has its origins in astronomy. In ancient times, this day was one of the Celtic cross-quarter days, which marked the midway points between the four solstices and equinoxes of the year. But when it comes to early holidays related to this day, it has more roots in agriculture than astronomy. It was a celebration of sown fields that have started to sprout. It celebrates the springtime festivities with songs and dances around the bonfires. Cattle were driven to pasture and doors of houses were decorated with yellow May flowers. In the Middle Ages, the Gaelic people celebrated the festival of Beltane, which means ‘Day of Fire’. People used to create massive bonfires and dance at night to celebrate. It became popular in England with various traditions, eventually arriving in America. Children would dance around the maypole, holding ribbons. People would ‘bring in the May’ by gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral hoops and hair garlands and crowning a May king and queen. May Day 2023: Some iconic traditions Making a May Basket People weave a paper basket containing spring flowers and sweets and leave it on each other’s doorsteps. Some also use a cone with these flowers and generally leave it at neighbour’s doors anonymously. This tradition was popularised in the 19th and 20th centuries. The custom was to knock on the doorbell and yell ‘May basket’ and then run away. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss. Louisa May Alcott wrote about May Basket Day in the late 1800s. In the 1920s, some bold schoolchildren hung a May basket on the White House door for First Lady Grace Coolidge. Maypole dance Originally the maypole used to be a living tree that was chosen from the woods with much merrymaking. Ancient Celts danced around the tree, praying for the fertility of their crops and all living things. For young people, it was also a time of courtship. If a young woman and a man paired by sundown, their courtship continued so that the couple could get to know each other and possibly marry each other six weeks later on June’s Midsummer’s Day. This is how the ‘June wedding’ became a tradition. In the Middle Ages, all villages used to have maypoles. Towns would compete to see who had the tallest or best maypole. Over time, this Old English festival incorporated dance performances, plays, and literature. People would crown‘May Queen’ for the day’s festivities. Today the Maypole dance is majorly celebrated in schools, from elementary through college, as a fun spring activity. May Day 2023: Different ways of celebrations Apart from these traditions, the festival is celebrated in numerous different ways to mark the return of spring. 1. Some people wash their face with dew on the morning of May 1 to beautify the skin and bring them some good luck. 2. People in Britain welcome spring by ‘Bringing in the May’ or gathering cuttings of flowering trees like magnolia, lilac or redbud for their homes. 3. In Hawai, the day is called ‘Lei Day’ and people make pretty leis. Leis are garlands or wreaths that are often made with native Hawaiian flowers and leaves. These are symbols of greeting, farewell, affection, celebration and honour. 4. In Ireland, people would make a May bush, typically a thorn bush decorated with flowers and ribbons. 5. Farmers plant turnips on this day to protect cucumbers from insects. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

May Day 2023: What is May Day? Know about its origin, traditions & why it is celebrated on May 1

may-day-2023

May Day 2023, News on May Day 2023, stories on May Day 2023, articles on May Day 2023, May Day 2023 stories at Wion, May Day 2023 news, May Day 2023 latest news

may day-2023

French May Day protests: At least 108 police officers injured, 291 arrested; PM slams 'unacceptable' violence

IN PICS | Protests, rallies, demonstrations: Here's how people marked May Day across the world

May Day 2023: What is May Day? Know about its origin, traditions & why it is celebrated on May 1