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Thousands March Against Job Cuts and Outsourcing in Paris

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The siege of Paris: Why are French farmers protesting?

France's protesting farmers encircle Paris with tractor barricades, vowing a 'siege' over grievances. at least 1,000 tractors were expected to be used in the blockade. They were expected to remain between 20-25 miles from the city centre, to restrict access in and out.

How will President Macron handle the 'agri-bashing'?

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, came under fire for taking off an expensive watch during a TV interview about pension reforms.&nbsp;He was shown briefly slipping his hands under the table and seemingly taking off his watch during a prime-time national television show in which he vowed to move forward with plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, further infuriating his critics.&nbsp;

The opposition politicians termed him president of the rich who "has never lived up to his name so well," juxtaposing the move with his claims in the interview about minimum wage earners "who have never had so much purchasing power."

The&nbsp;Elysee Palace claims&nbsp;that Macron did&nbsp;not remove&nbsp;the watch&nbsp;“in order to hide it&nbsp;– but because it was clinking against the table,” as reported by the Independent.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media

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Petit jeu (facile). 
Qu'est-ce qui disparaît entre ces 2 extraits ? <a href="https://t.co/kkn0U8p1Gj">pic.twitter.com/kkn0U8p1Gj</a>
— Caisses de grève (@caissesdegreve) <a href="https://twitter.com/caissesdegreve/status/1638857561704202243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“The noise is clearly audible only a few seconds before the beginning of the video shared on social media,” the presidential palace said in a widely reported statement, which chimes with the audio in the viral clip.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/king-charles-france-visit-postponed-as-pension-protests-turn-violent-575344">King Charles III’s state visit to France postponed as pension protests turn violent</a>

About 10 minutes into the interview, Macron put his wrists on the table and a clunk was audible. Then he put his hands under the desk. When they came out, his left wrist's watch was gone.

The manoeuvre caught the eyes of the French audience&nbsp;and the clip has since gone viral.

The watch's exact worth is unclear. It was reportedly made by the French company Bell &amp; Ross and cost between €1,600 (US$1,725)&nbsp;and €2,400 (US$2,587), according to French media.

Millions of people have protested against Macron's reforms. Ifop reported last week that Macron's approval rating has dropped to just 28 per cent, the lowest since the peak of the Yellow Vest protests in 2018. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, came under fire for taking off an expensive watch during a TV interview about pension reforms. He was shown briefly slipping his hands under the table and seemingly taking off his watch during a prime-time national television show in which he vowed to move forward with plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, further infuriating his critics.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, came under fire for taking off an expensive watch during a TV interview about pension reforms. He was shown briefly slipping his hands under the table and seemingly taking off his watch during a prime-time national television show in which he vowed to move forward with plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, further infuriating his critics. The opposition politicians termed him president of the rich who "has never lived up to his name so well," juxtaposing the move with his claims in the interview about minimum wage earners "who have never had so much purchasing power." The Elysee Palace claims that Macron did not remove the watch “in order to hide it – but because it was clinking against the table,” as reported by the Independent. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media Petit jeu (facile). Qu'est-ce qui disparaît entre ces 2 extraits ? pic.twitter.com/kkn0U8p1Gj — Caisses de grève (@caissesdegreve) March 23, 2023 × “The noise is clearly audible only a few seconds before the beginning of the video shared on social media,” the presidential palace said in a widely reported statement, which chimes with the audio in the viral clip. ALSO READ | King Charles III’s state visit to France postponed as pension protests turn violent About 10 minutes into the interview, Macron put his wrists on the table and a clunk was audible. Then he put his hands under the desk. When they came out, his left wrist's watch was gone. The manoeuvre caught the eyes of the French audience and the clip has since gone viral. The watch's exact worth is unclear. It was reportedly made by the French company Bell & Ross and cost between €1,600 (US$1,725) and €2,400 (US$2,587), according to French media. Millions of people have protested against Macron's reforms. Ifop reported last week that Macron's approval rating has dropped to just 28 per cent, the lowest since the peak of the Yellow Vest protests in 2018. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

France: Macron takes off luxury watch on television while talking about pension reforms, irks protesters

Paris&nbsp;police&nbsp;used tear gas and water cannon Saturday to disperse a&nbsp;pro-Palestinian&nbsp;rally held despite a ban by authorities, who feared a flare-up of anti-Semitic violence during the worst fighting between Israel and Hamas in years.

Several hundreds of people converged on the heavily immigrant Barbes neighbourhood in the north of the capital, amid a massive security presence involving some 4,200 officers, officials said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-court-bans-pro-palestine-demo-organisers-defiant-385185">French court bans pro-Palestine demo, organisers defiant&nbsp;</a>

Police&nbsp;blocked off wide boulevards as well as narrow streets where some of the&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;were forced to retreat, while knots of residents and passers-by watched or recorded the scene with their phones.

Some threw stones or tried to set up roadblocks with construction barriers, but for the most part, police&nbsp;pursued groups across the district while preventing any march toward the Place de la Bastille as planned.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-conflict-fallout-germany-will-not-tolerate-anti-semitic-protests-says-merkels-spokesman-384985/amp">Gaza conflict fallout: Germany will not tolerate 'anti-Semitic' protests, says Merkel's spokesman</a>

"You want to prohibit me from showing solidarity with my people, even as my village is being bombed?" Mohammed, 23 and wearing a "Free Palestine" t-shirt, told AFP.

As a cold rainstorm settled over the city toward evening, many&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;left, leaving a large group of mostly young men facing off against ranks of officers who held their ground on a stretch of boulevard.

A handful of garbage bins were set on fire and rocks and other projectiles were hurled toward&nbsp;police, but no arrests were reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-rises-as-violence-rocks-gaza-israel-and-west-bank-385182">Death toll rises as violence rocks Gaza, Israel and West Bank</a>

Ban 'unacceptable'

The march was banned Thursday over concerns of a repeat of fierce clashes that erupted at a similar&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;march during the last war in 2014 when&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;took aim at synagogues and other Israeli and Jewish targets.

"We all remember that extremely troubling protest where terrible phrases like 'death to Jews' were yelled," Mayor Anne Hidalgo told AFP on Friday, welcoming a "wise" decision to ban the march.

But Walid Atallah, president of the Association of Palestinians in Ile-de-France, the region encompassing&nbsp;Paris, accused the government of inflaming&nbsp;tensions&nbsp;with the ban.

Repeat of&nbsp;unrest?&nbsp;

"If there were genuine risks of public disorder, of serious problems, they would have prohibited it right away," he told a press conference ahead of the march.

"They banned it at the last minute, it's unacceptable," he said. Similar protests in Germany and Denmark this week have degenerated into clashes leading to several arrests.

The protest had originally been called to mark the Nakba, as Palestinians call the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation in 1948, which turned hundreds of thousands into refugees.

But a&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;court upheld the ban Friday, saying the "international and domestic context" justified fears of unrest "that could be as serious or even worse than in 2014."

Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin also called for similar bans in other cities if necessary, and officials prohibited marches in Nice, where around 150 people gathered nonetheless, and in some&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;suburbs.&nbsp;

"We don't want scenes of violence, we don't want to import a conflict onto French soil, we don't want eruptions of hate on our streets," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Saturday in Marseille.

But no incidents were reported as thousands of people gathered for protests and marches in several other cities including Montpellier, Toulouse and Bordeaux. Many accuse France of being too favourable toward Israel in the latest conflict, which has seen a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza that has been met with Israeli artillery and airstrikes.

The ban has caused a split among French politicians, with President Emmanuel Macron's centre-right party and the right-wing opposition supporting the move, but leftists calling it an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression.

Macron's office said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, offering his "condolences for the victims of the rocket fire claimed by Hamas and other terrorist groups."

The statement said Macron urged a return to peace and "his concern about the civilian population in Gaza."

France has the largest Muslim population in Europe, with an estimated five to six million people.

It also has the largest Jewish population after Israel and the United States.

Paris police used tear gas and water cannon Saturday to disperse a pro-Palestinian rally held despite a ban by authorities, who feared a flare-up of anti-Semitic violence during the worst fighting between Israel and Hamas in years.

Paris police used tear gas and water cannon Saturday to disperse a pro-Palestinian rally held despite a ban by authorities, who feared a flare-up of anti-Semitic violence during the worst fighting between Israel and Hamas in years. Several hundreds of people converged on the heavily immigrant Barbes neighbourhood in the north of the capital, amid a massive security presence involving some 4,200 officers, officials said. Also read | French court bans pro-Palestine demo, organisers defiant Police blocked off wide boulevards as well as narrow streets where some of the protesters were forced to retreat, while knots of residents and passers-by watched or recorded the scene with their phones. Some threw stones or tried to set up roadblocks with construction barriers, but for the most part, police pursued groups across the district while preventing any march toward the Place de la Bastille as planned. Also read | Gaza conflict fallout: Germany will not tolerate 'anti-Semitic' protests, says Merkel's spokesman "You want to prohibit me from showing solidarity with my people, even as my village is being bombed?" Mohammed, 23 and wearing a "Free Palestine" t-shirt, told AFP. As a cold rainstorm settled over the city toward evening, many protesters left, leaving a large group of mostly young men facing off against ranks of officers who held their ground on a stretch of boulevard. A handful of garbage bins were set on fire and rocks and other projectiles were hurled toward police, but no arrests were reported. Also read | Death toll rises as violence rocks Gaza, Israel and West Bank Ban 'unacceptable' The march was banned Thursday over concerns of a repeat of fierce clashes that erupted at a similar Paris march during the last war in 2014 when protesters took aim at synagogues and other Israeli and Jewish targets. "We all remember that extremely troubling protest where terrible phrases like 'death to Jews' were yelled," Mayor Anne Hidalgo told AFP on Friday, welcoming a "wise" decision to ban the march. But Walid Atallah, president of the Association of Palestinians in Ile-de-France, the region encompassing Paris, accused the government of inflaming tensions with the ban. Repeat of unrest? "If there were genuine risks of public disorder, of serious problems, they would have prohibited it right away," he told a press conference ahead of the march. "They banned it at the last minute, it's unacceptable," he said. Similar protests in Germany and Denmark this week have degenerated into clashes leading to several arrests. The protest had originally been called to mark the Nakba, as Palestinians call the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation in 1948, which turned hundreds of thousands into refugees. But a Paris court upheld the ban Friday, saying the "international and domestic context" justified fears of unrest "that could be as serious or even worse than in 2014." Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin also called for similar bans in other cities if necessary, and officials prohibited marches in Nice, where around 150 people gathered nonetheless, and in some Paris suburbs. "We don't want scenes of violence, we don't want to import a conflict onto French soil, we don't want eruptions of hate on our streets," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Saturday in Marseille. But no incidents were reported as thousands of people gathered for protests and marches in several other cities including Montpellier, Toulouse and Bordeaux. Many accuse France of being too favourable toward Israel in the latest conflict, which has seen a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza that has been met with Israeli artillery and airstrikes. The ban has caused a split among French politicians, with President Emmanuel Macron's centre-right party and the right-wing opposition supporting the move, but leftists calling it an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression. Macron's office said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, offering his "condolences for the victims of the rocket fire claimed by Hamas and other terrorist groups." The statement said Macron urged a return to peace and "his concern about the civilian population in Gaza." France has the largest Muslim population in Europe, with an estimated five to six million people. It also has the largest Jewish population after Israel and the United States.

Tensions in Paris as pro-Palestinian protesters defy police

Demonstrations against the controversial Security bill continue take place in Paris three consecutive weeks now. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Saturday widespread rallies fueled by public outcry against police brutality. Police arrested around 150 people in France amid protests.

Widespread protest in France against the controversial security bill

Violence erupted second straight week as people continue to protest against controversial security law. Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with Police and the situation turned unmanageable as violence fled up.

Paris protesters clash with police, vandalise property

An award-winning Syrian photographer, who was wounded in a recent protest in Paris said that the night brought back memories of civil war in his country. 24 year old Ameer al-Halbi, was seen with bruised face which was covered in bandages. Ameer al-Halbi said that the Police assaulted him and his colleague despite knowing that they were Journalist.

An award-winning Syrian photographer, wounded during protest in Paris

Photos show Alhalbi’s face appears bruised with much of his head covered in bandages.

Syrian journalist wounded by police during Paris protest

A press freedom group has denounced the "unacceptable" injury of an award-winning Syrian photojournalist during a Paris protest against police brutality.

Ameer Alhalbi, a freelance photographer who worked for Polka Magazine and AFP, was covering the demonstrations over the weekend opposing police violence and the French government's new law restricting sharing images of officers.

In AFP photos Alhalbi's face appears bruised with much of his head covered in bandages.

Christophe Deloire, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, tweeted that the 24-year-old had been wounded at Place de la Bastille by "a police baton" and condemned the violence.

"Ameer came from #Syria to #France to take refuge, like several other Syrian journalists. The land of human rights should not threaten them, but protect them," he said in a second tweet.

Deloire also noted Alhalbi had been clearly identified as a journalist.

Dimitri Beck, director of photography for Polka, said that Alhalbi had suffered a broken nose and injured forehead, and had been taken to hospital.

Alhalbi has won several international awards, including second prize in the "Spot News" category for the World Press Photo in 2017.

A press freedom group has denounced the "unacceptable" injury of an award-winning Syrian photojournalist during a Paris protest against police brutality. Ameer Alhalbi, a freelance photographer who worked for Polka Magazine and AFP, was covering the demonstrations over the weekend opposing police violence and the French government's new law restricting sharing images of officers.

A press freedom group has denounced the "unacceptable" injury of an award-winning Syrian photojournalist during a Paris protest against police brutality. Ameer Alhalbi, a freelance photographer who worked for Polka Magazine and AFP, was covering the demonstrations over the weekend opposing police violence and the French government's new law restricting sharing images of officers. In AFP photos Alhalbi's face appears bruised with much of his head covered in bandages. Christophe Deloire, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, tweeted that the 24-year-old had been wounded at Place de la Bastille by "a police baton" and condemned the violence. "Ameer came from #Syria to #France to take refuge, like several other Syrian journalists. The land of human rights should not threaten them, but protect them," he said in a second tweet. Deloire also noted Alhalbi had been clearly identified as a journalist. Dimitri Beck, director of photography for Polka, said that Alhalbi had suffered a broken nose and injured forehead, and had been taken to hospital. Alhalbi has won several international awards, including second prize in the "Spot News" category for the World Press Photo in 2017.

Award-winning photojournalist wounded covering Paris protest

The most serious charge was filed against Derek Chauvin, whose caught-on-video treatment of the handcuffed Floyd spurred worldwide protests.

US riots over Floyd's killing intensifies; More than 4,000 protesters arrested

Officer in George Floyd death faces 2nd-degree murder charge

Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris on Tuesday after around 20,000 people defied a ban to rally over the 2016 death of a black man in police custody, galvanised by US demonstrations against racism and deadly police violence.

The protesters used slogans from the American protest movement to call for justice for Adama Traore, whose death four years ago has been a rallying cause against police brutality in France.

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The demonstration, which came after the release of two differing medical reports into the cause of Traore's death, had been prohibited by police citing a coronavirus ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.

The death of Adama Traore, 24, has been likened to the killing of George Floyd in the US, whose death has sparked protests across the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-us-on-the-brink-of-another-civil-war-302692" hreflang="en">Is US on the brink of another civil war?</a>

The Paris police chief has rejected charges of racism against his force.

About 20,000 people defied the order on mass gatherings to join the protest. Initially peaceful, the march turned violent, with stones thrown at police and tear gas fired back.

<img alt="France" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8537078a-5d66-40dd-9966-123efb3429c3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2835%29_7.jpg" /> 
People run from tear gas as they attend a banned demonstration planned in memory of Adama Traore, a 24-year old black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation which some have likened to the death of George Floyd in the United States, in front of courthouse in Paris, France June 2, 2020|&nbsp;REUTERS

There were also demonstrations in other cities, including Marseille, Lyon and Lille. Some of the demonstrators carried Black Lives Matter placards - the movement that began in the US and has spread internationally.

Mr Traoré died in a police station after being apprehended by officers in the Paris suburbs and losing consciousness in their vehicle.

One of the officers told investigators that he and two colleagues pinned down Mr Traoré using their bodyweight.

Official reports indicate he died of heart failure, possibly due to an underlying health condition. Last Thursday, the officers who detained Mr Traoré were exonerated by a police investigation.

Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris on Tuesday after around 20,000 people defied a ban to rally over the 2016 death of a black man in police custody, galvanised by US demonstrations against racism and deadly police violence.

Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris on Tuesday after around 20,000 people defied a ban to rally over the 2016 death of a black man in police custody, galvanised by US demonstrations against racism and deadly police violence. The protesters used slogans from the American protest movement to call for justice for Adama Traore, whose death four years ago has been a rallying cause against police brutality in France. Also read: New York ripped to pieces, Governor refuses dominating National Guard: Trump The demonstration, which came after the release of two differing medical reports into the cause of Traore's death, had been prohibited by police citing a coronavirus ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The death of Adama Traore, 24, has been likened to the killing of George Floyd in the US, whose death has sparked protests across the country. Also read: Is US on the brink of another civil war? The Paris police chief has rejected charges of racism against his force. About 20,000 people defied the order on mass gatherings to join the protest. Initially peaceful, the march turned violent, with stones thrown at police and tear gas fired back. People run from tear gas as they attend a banned demonstration planned in memory of Adama Traore, a 24-year old black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation which some have likened to the death of George Floyd in the United States, in front of courthouse in Paris, France June 2, 2020| REUTERS There were also demonstrations in other cities, including Marseille, Lyon and Lille. Some of the demonstrators carried Black Lives Matter placards - the movement that began in the US and has spread internationally. Mr Traoré died in a police station after being apprehended by officers in the Paris suburbs and losing consciousness in their vehicle. One of the officers told investigators that he and two colleagues pinned down Mr Traoré using their bodyweight. Official reports indicate he died of heart failure, possibly due to an underlying health condition. Last Thursday, the officers who detained Mr Traoré were exonerated by a police investigation.

Protesters and police clash in Paris protest against racism and deadly police violence

The black lives matter protest has now spread across the world with people coming out in solidarity in their countries. Black lives matter protests reached Paris. Watch report.

George Floyd death: In Paris tear gas fired at protestors

Thousands of demonstrators, most of them unionists, filled Paris' streets on Wednesday (January 29) in protest of the French government's planned pensions overhaul, claiming the movement has fallen to President Emmanuel Macron's deaf ears.

Thousands march in Paris against pension reform as support for movement stays strong

France's government defied trade unions on Friday by including a contested clause on raising the retirement age by two years in its draft legislation, amid signs that weeks of street protests and strikes may be losing momentum.

President Emmanuel Macron's proposed reform to streamline France's byzantine pension schemes is the biggest overhaul of the system since World War Two and is central to his ambition to make the labour force more flexible and competitive globally.

But it has infuriated trade unions who argue the reform will erode hard-earned benefits and leave pensioners worse off.

The bill, which will be sent to France's pension administrators on Friday for their consideration, says the retirement age for a full pension will be progressively raised to reach 64 "for the 1965 generation who will retire from 2027".

Under the proposal, the legal retirement age will remain 62 but workers who leave at that point will not receive their maximum pension.

"We could not have a text that is silent on the age (for a balanced pension budget)," Laurent Pietraszewski, secretary of state for pensions, told Reuters. "It is at the heart of the reform."

Deadlock

If Macron emerges the winner from the weeks-long showdown, he will have gone further than any other French postwar leader in shaking up the pension system.

However, negotiations continue on Friday between the unions and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. It is still possible the plans will be watered down as the government seeks to break the deadlock.

Hard-left unions are calling for the government to abandon the bill. The reform-minded CFDT union, France's largest, is open to the planned universal "points" system, but says an increase of the retirement age "crosses a red line".

Unions brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets in cities across France on Thursday but the turnout was down on past protests and their momentum is faltering. Participation in strikes now in their 37th day has waned and public support fallen, according to opinion polls.

Philippe has agreed to seek a way of balancing the pension budget other than by raising the retirement age while the bill is being scrutinised in parliament. His government has promised to include any alternative solutions as amendments.

But that has so far been rejected by the unions.

"A compromise will only be found once the sword of Damocles that is the retirement age is no longer hanging over us," Laurent Escure, leader of the UNSA union said after his meeting with Philippe.

Parliament is due to debate the bill from mid-February.

France's government defied trade unions on Friday by including a contested clause on raising the retirement age by two years in its draft legislation, amid signs that weeks of street protests and strikes may be losing momentum.

France's government defied trade unions on Friday by including a contested clause on raising the retirement age by two years in its draft legislation, amid signs that weeks of street protests and strikes may be losing momentum. President Emmanuel Macron's proposed reform to streamline France's byzantine pension schemes is the biggest overhaul of the system since World War Two and is central to his ambition to make the labour force more flexible and competitive globally. But it has infuriated trade unions who argue the reform will erode hard-earned benefits and leave pensioners worse off. The bill, which will be sent to France's pension administrators on Friday for their consideration, says the retirement age for a full pension will be progressively raised to reach 64 "for the 1965 generation who will retire from 2027". Under the proposal, the legal retirement age will remain 62 but workers who leave at that point will not receive their maximum pension. "We could not have a text that is silent on the age (for a balanced pension budget)," Laurent Pietraszewski, secretary of state for pensions, told Reuters. "It is at the heart of the reform." Deadlock If Macron emerges the winner from the weeks-long showdown, he will have gone further than any other French postwar leader in shaking up the pension system. However, negotiations continue on Friday between the unions and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. It is still possible the plans will be watered down as the government seeks to break the deadlock. Hard-left unions are calling for the government to abandon the bill. The reform-minded CFDT union, France's largest, is open to the planned universal "points" system, but says an increase of the retirement age "crosses a red line". Unions brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets in cities across France on Thursday but the turnout was down on past protests and their momentum is faltering. Participation in strikes now in their 37th day has waned and public support fallen, according to opinion polls. Philippe has agreed to seek a way of balancing the pension budget other than by raising the retirement age while the bill is being scrutinised in parliament. His government has promised to include any alternative solutions as amendments. But that has so far been rejected by the unions. "A compromise will only be found once the sword of Damocles that is the retirement age is no longer hanging over us," Laurent Escure, leader of the UNSA union said after his meeting with Philippe. Parliament is due to debate the bill from mid-February.

Despite weeks of protests, Macron raises retirement age in pension reforms legislation

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group,&nbsp;within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-all-police-stations-in-hyderabad-to-get-a-cyber-crime-wing-270543">Hyderabad</a>, many holding banners to protest a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/citizenship-amendment-bill-avoidable-controversy-267862">controversial new citizenship law</a>.

Police quickly dispersed the group and briefly detained six people, but for Syed Faheem, who formed the WhatsApp group,&nbsp;it marked another successful flash protest, inspired by tactics used by protesters in Hong Kong.

Faheem, a software consultant, is one of a growing group of opponents to the new law who have begun to borrow tactics used in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">protests</a> from Hong Kong to Paris, to protest legislation that critics say discriminates against Muslims.

In Hyderabad, some protesters say it is impossible to secure police permission to hold demonstrations, forcing them to adopt new tactics to show dissent.

"The objective is to get 30 minutes at one spot. Some people support us, others come and argue with us," said Faheem, who has organised regular flash protests through WhatsApp messages that are amplified via social media.

The location of the protests, which change daily, are posted just an hour or two in advance, with the exact spots shared just minutes ahead of time.

Hyderabad's police chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-verdict-school-colleges-shut-in-up-mp-karnataka-jk-delhi-section-144-imposed-260914">Anjani Kumar</a> told media that people are being permitted to gather in areas such as sports grounds, or indoor auditoriums to protest, but added: "We've not given permission for any rally or procession because that affects traffic."

In Hong Kong, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-protesters-vow-to-keep-fighting-police-fire-tear-gas-271427">anti-government demonstrations</a> have raged on for months, protesters adopted a "be water" strategy, inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee, popping up in different locations almost daily to catch authorities flat-footed.

Sharjeel Imam, who helped organise a New Delhi sit-in protest against the new law that has run for weeks, said he plans to adopt the flash mob strategy to keep the agitation going.

In Hyderabad, the idea to copy Hong Kong's play-book came as protestors sought ways to run a long-term campaign that police would find hard to curb, two members from Faheem's group said.

"Hong Kong has been pivotal. It was very inspiring," said a 30-year-old IT professional, who declined to be identified.

After police restricted protests in another southern city, students at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore took inspiration from 2015 protests in Paris where shoes were put on display - in place of cancelled protests - to support action against climate change. Students also borrowed ideas from the 1975 protests against the imposition of an emergency in India.

"Police weren't letting us place placards with any messages, so we copied what the press did in 1975 and left blank placards with 'Concerned Citizens of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-caa-protests-bengaluru-erupts-defies-section-144-269169">IIM-Bangalore</a>' written on them," a student involved in the protest said.

"Generations later, when they ask us what we did when they came for the Muslims, I at least want to be able to say - 'We tried'", she said.

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group, within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the Hyderabad, many holding banners to protest a controversial new citizenship law.

Before midnight on New Year's Eve, a call to action was sent on a private WhatsApp group, within the hour, dozens gathered in the centre of the Hyderabad, many holding banners to protest a controversial new citizenship law. Police quickly dispersed the group and briefly detained six people, but for Syed Faheem, who formed the WhatsApp group, it marked another successful flash protest, inspired by tactics used by protesters in Hong Kong. Faheem, a software consultant, is one of a growing group of opponents to the new law who have begun to borrow tactics used in protests from Hong Kong to Paris, to protest legislation that critics say discriminates against Muslims. In Hyderabad, some protesters say it is impossible to secure police permission to hold demonstrations, forcing them to adopt new tactics to show dissent. "The objective is to get 30 minutes at one spot. Some people support us, others come and argue with us," said Faheem, who has organised regular flash protests through WhatsApp messages that are amplified via social media. The location of the protests, which change daily, are posted just an hour or two in advance, with the exact spots shared just minutes ahead of time. Hyderabad's police chief Anjani Kumar told media that people are being permitted to gather in areas such as sports grounds, or indoor auditoriums to protest, but added: "We've not given permission for any rally or procession because that affects traffic." In Hong Kong, where anti-government demonstrations have raged on for months, protesters adopted a "be water" strategy, inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee, popping up in different locations almost daily to catch authorities flat-footed. Sharjeel Imam, who helped organise a New Delhi sit-in protest against the new law that has run for weeks, said he plans to adopt the flash mob strategy to keep the agitation going. In Hyderabad, the idea to copy Hong Kong's play-book came as protestors sought ways to run a long-term campaign that police would find hard to curb, two members from Faheem's group said. "Hong Kong has been pivotal. It was very inspiring," said a 30-year-old IT professional, who declined to be identified. After police restricted protests in another southern city, students at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore took inspiration from 2015 protests in Paris where shoes were put on display - in place of cancelled protests - to support action against climate change. Students also borrowed ideas from the 1975 protests against the imposition of an emergency in India. "Police weren't letting us place placards with any messages, so we copied what the press did in 1975 and left blank placards with 'Concerned Citizens of IIM-Bangalore' written on them," a student involved in the protest said. "Generations later, when they ask us what we did when they came for the Muslims, I at least want to be able to say - 'We tried'", she said.

Indian protesters took 'Be Water' strategy from Hong Kong protest to skirt police restrictions

Protesters disrupted the first screening in France of Roman Polanski`s new film on Tuesday, following the publication of a new rape accusation against the French-Polish director. 
 
A group of about 40 activists blocked the screening of the French premiere of Polanski`s film "J`accuse" at a theatre in Rue Champollion, although the film was shown at some other theatres in Paris. 
 
"The cancellation of this screening is not a victory; victory will be when the impunity for rapists ends," Chloe Madesta, one of the activists, told France Info Radio. 
 
Polanski is launching his new film in France just days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/french-actor-accuses-oscar-winner-roman-polanski-of-sexual-assault-260990">French actress Valentine Monnier -</a> in an open letter to daily Le Parisien - accused Polanski, now 86, of having raped her in 1975, when she was 18 years old, during a ski holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland. 
Polanski, through his lawyer Herve Temime, has denied the accusation. 
 
Monnier is one of several women who have publicly accused Polanski of sexually assaulting them. Polanski has repeatedly denied all accusations against him. 
 
In October 2017, protesters disrupted the opening of a retrospective of Polanski`s work in Paris following new rape accusations against him. 
 
Polanski fled the United States after pleading guilty in 1977 to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. 
 
Accusations against Polanski predate the Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal in 2017, but Polanski`s history came under renewed scrutiny as the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment grew in the wake of the Weinstein case. 
 
Last year, Polanski was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 
 
In a production note for his new film - about Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army officer who in 1894 was convicted of treason - Polanski has compared his problems with the law and the persecution he says he has suffered with the struggles of Dreyfus. 
Dreyfus`s conviction was criticised as being motivated by anti-Semitism and the case deeply split France. He was eventually exonerated. 
 
"It is absolutely indecent to make a parallel between Dreyfus` story of denial of justice and Polanski`s story. Polanski has spent his life fleeing from justice," activist Madesta said. 
 
"We call on all theatres not to show this film and on film lovers not to go see it," she added. 
 
In August, Polanski stayed away from the premiere of the film - called "An Officer and a Spy" in English - at the Venice Film Festival.

Protesters disrupted the first screening in France of Roman Polanski`s new film on Tuesday, following the publication of a new rape accusation against the French-Polish director.

Protesters disrupted the first screening in France of Roman Polanski`s new film on Tuesday, following the publication of a new rape accusation against the French-Polish director. A group of about 40 activists blocked the screening of the French premiere of Polanski`s film "J`accuse" at a theatre in Rue Champollion, although the film was shown at some other theatres in Paris. "The cancellation of this screening is not a victory; victory will be when the impunity for rapists ends," Chloe Madesta, one of the activists, told France Info Radio. Polanski is launching his new film in France just days after French actress Valentine Monnier - in an open letter to daily Le Parisien - accused Polanski, now 86, of having raped her in 1975, when she was 18 years old, during a ski holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland. Polanski, through his lawyer Herve Temime, has denied the accusation. Monnier is one of several women who have publicly accused Polanski of sexually assaulting them. Polanski has repeatedly denied all accusations against him. In October 2017, protesters disrupted the opening of a retrospective of Polanski`s work in Paris following new rape accusations against him. Polanski fled the United States after pleading guilty in 1977 to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. Accusations against Polanski predate the Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal in 2017, but Polanski`s history came under renewed scrutiny as the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment grew in the wake of the Weinstein case. Last year, Polanski was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a production note for his new film - about Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army officer who in 1894 was convicted of treason - Polanski has compared his problems with the law and the persecution he says he has suffered with the struggles of Dreyfus. Dreyfus`s conviction was criticised as being motivated by anti-Semitism and the case deeply split France. He was eventually exonerated. "It is absolutely indecent to make a parallel between Dreyfus` story of denial of justice and Polanski`s story. Polanski has spent his life fleeing from justice," activist Madesta said. "We call on all theatres not to show this film and on film lovers not to go see it," she added. In August, Polanski stayed away from the premiere of the film - called "An Officer and a Spy" in English - at the Venice Film Festival.

Paris protest disrupts Roman Polanski film debut over rape accusations

French police fired tear gas to push back masked demonstrators in central Paris on Wednesday as thousands of people used an annual <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-police-deployment-planned-for-paris-may-day-marches-214839">May Day rally </a>to protest against President Emmanuel Macron's policies.

Labour unions and so-called "yellow vest" protesters were on the streets across France just days after Macron outlined policy proposals including tax cuts worth around 5 billion euros ($5.58 billion).

A Reuters witness said riot police used tear gas to disperse a group of hooded and masked protesters that had converged at the front of the traditional <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-labour-day-or-may-day-15115/amp">May Day</a> union march.

Some protesters wearing hoods or yellow vests responded by throwing projectiles at the police. Television footage showed a van with its windows smashed.

French police had warned on Tuesday of possible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-celebrates-international-labour-day-traditional-rally-in-moscow-215017">May Day</a> clashes with far-left anarchist groups, known as Black Blocs, after calls on social media for radicals to hit the streets.

Authorities said they expected some 2,000 Black Bloc protesters from France and across Europe to turn up on the sidelines of the traditional May Day union rallies. Police had already arrested 88 people on Wednesday morning.

The "yellow vest" protests, named after motorists' high-visibility jackets, began in November over fuel tax increases but have evolved into a sometimes violent revolt against politicians and a government they see as out of touch.

Many in the grassroots movement, which lacks a leadership structure, have said Macron's proposals do not go far enough and most of what he announced lacks details.

French police fired tear gas to push back masked demonstrators in central Paris on Wednesday as thousands of people used an annual May Day rally to protest against President Emmanuel Macron's policies.

French police fired tear gas to push back masked demonstrators in central Paris on Wednesday as thousands of people used an annual May Day rally to protest against President Emmanuel Macron's policies. Labour unions and so-called "yellow vest" protesters were on the streets across France just days after Macron outlined policy proposals including tax cuts worth around 5 billion euros ($5.58 billion). A Reuters witness said riot police used tear gas to disperse a group of hooded and masked protesters that had converged at the front of the traditional May Day union march. Some protesters wearing hoods or yellow vests responded by throwing projectiles at the police. Television footage showed a van with its windows smashed. French police had warned on Tuesday of possible May Day clashes with far-left anarchist groups, known as Black Blocs, after calls on social media for radicals to hit the streets. Authorities said they expected some 2,000 Black Bloc protesters from France and across Europe to turn up on the sidelines of the traditional May Day union rallies. Police had already arrested 88 people on Wednesday morning. The "yellow vest" protests, named after motorists' high-visibility jackets, began in November over fuel tax increases but have evolved into a sometimes violent revolt against politicians and a government they see as out of touch. Many in the grassroots movement, which lacks a leadership structure, have said Macron's proposals do not go far enough and most of what he announced lacks details.

French police fire tear gas at protesters in Paris May Day rally

Saturday marked the 23rd round of of "yellow vest" protests in Paris against Emmanuel Macron's government. Watch full video to know more

Yellow vests stage 23rd round of protests in Paris

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