Posted on 04/20/2016 1:31:46 PM PDT by Lorianne
The "Up All Night" protests that are sweeping France are increasingly being marred by violence and police have warned the organisers not to let their peaceful cause be hijacked by troublemakers.
The "Nuit Debout" demonstrations began in March in opposition to the government's proposed labour reforms, but the movement has now embraced a range of grievances and begun to take on a revolutionary feel.
In recent days, after up to 3,000 predominantly young demonstrators have occupied the giant Place de la Republique square in Paris each evening, small groups of hooded youths have moved in, apparently determined to clash with police.
More than 400 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began.
In the latest flare-up, 21 people were detained after setting fire to wooden pallets and pelting police with objects on the Place de la Republique early on Saturday. Several police officers were hurt.
Paris police chief Michel Cadot said Saturday the violence "just cannot be accepted" and blamed the organisers "for a lack of control which is allowing these incidents to happen".
He said while the protests were well-ordered early in the evening, after midnight "small, violent groups... try either to march, or to attack the security forces and damage shop windows or businesses, especially banks, nearby".
"I want to remind the organisers of these gatherings of their responsibilities and ask them to stick to their commitment to stop at 1:00 am and to ensure that the participants disperse at that time," Cadot said.
The Marxist organizers have found their shock troops.
Occupy Champs Elysees
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