A far-left group staged a wild protest in downtown Rennes on Thursday, culminating in violent clashes with police, and several trash and street furniture fires.
According to
Ouest-France
, the clashes began in the course of Vieux Saint-Etienne around 10:30 p.m., when around fifty activists dressed in black gathered to fight it out.
They quickly headed for Place Sainte-Anne, known for welcoming Rennes youth to its many bars.
A bonfire is set up around 11 p.m., using street furniture, garbage cans and chairs and tables stolen from restaurateurs.
The police, who arrived on the scene, then tried to disperse the crowd, using tear gas canisters, and collecting projectiles as well as heavy mortar fire.
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Four arrests
A first charge made it possible to evacuate the place, while the firefighters were busy putting out the arson.
A procession of militants was nevertheless reconstituted,
Ouest-France
still evoking a few hundred people.
Degrading various construction sites before joining the town hall square, and lighting a new fire, these demonstrators then collected a new police charge before dispersing for good around 1am.
According to France Bleu, four people were arrested, and three police officers slightly injured during the operation to maintain order.