Paris police battled with demonstrators protesting a labor reform bill Tuesday. At least 40 people were injured. Photo courtesy of Paris Police
PARIS, June 15 (UPI) -- Police and demonstrators protesting a labor reform bill clashed in the streets of Paris Tuesday resulting in injuries to 20 police officers and about 40 civilians.
Another 21 protesters were detained by police, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd of thousands who marched through the French capital. Masked demonstrators allegedly threw stones at police, and later vandalized buildings, street signs and cars as they rampaged through the capital.
At least three unoccupied cars were set afire, and the prominent Necker children's hospital, in Paris' 15th arrondissement, was vandalized. Windows were smashed and a hospital building was sprayed with graffiti.
French Health Minister Marisol Touraine commented to the radio station France Info, "We are talking about a children's hospital that was attacked. There were children going into the operating room at the time, some were asleep. This is truly shocking."
Prime Minister Manuel Valls blamed the hardline General Confederation of Labor trade union -- also identified as CGT -- for the violence, and accused it of an "ambiguous attitude" toward attacking authorities.
"I call on the CGT not to organize this type of demonstration in Paris anymore," Valls said.
Two more days of protest this month have been scheduled by French unions, angered by proposed legislation designed to allow employees more latitude in scheduling layoffs and overtime hours. The demonstrations come as France hosts Euro 2016, a major European soccer tournament; security is already stretched thin in French cities, notably Paris, because of the sporting events.
