Politics

May Day Tensions on the Streets of Paris

Magnum photographers capture civil unrest on the traditional May 1st day of protest

Magnum Photographers

Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Enri Canaj | Magnum Photos
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day. Police uses water cannons and tear gas against the participants. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Enri Canaj | Magnum Photos
Lorenzo Meloni Far-left anarchist groups known as Black Blocs. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Lorenzo Meloni | Magnum Photos
Lorenzo Meloni Far-left anarchist groups known as Black Blocs. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Lorenzo Meloni | Magnum Photos
Bruno Barbey Labour union's May Day rally. Place de la Bastille. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Bruno Barbey | Magnum Photos
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. McDonalds restaurant near Austerlitz smashed by protesters. Labour un (...)
Bruno Barbey Labour union's May Day rally. Place de la Bastille. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Bruno Barbey | Magnum Photos
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Cars set on fire by protesters. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, (...)
Patrick Zachmann Degradations done by radical leftist and anarchist during the 1st of May demonstration. Bd de l'Hôpital, 13th district. Paris, France. 02/04/2018. © Patrick Zachmann | Magnum Photos
Bruno Barbey Labour union's May Day rally. Place de la Bastille. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Bruno Barbey | Magnum Photos
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Police uses water cannons and tear gas. May Day demonstration. Paris, (...)
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Smashed McDonalds restaurant near Austerlitz. May Day demonstration. (...)
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Police uses water cannons and tear gas. May Day demonstration. Paris, (...)
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Smashed McDonalds restaurant near Austerlitz. May Day demonstration. (...)
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Smashed McDonalds restaurant near Austerlitz. May Day demonstration. (...)
Jérôme Sessini Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Smashed bus stop. May Day demonstration. Paris, France. 1 May 2018. © Jérôme Sessini | Magnum Photos
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. Excavator set on fire. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. 1 (...)
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day. Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Enri Canaj | Magnum Photos
Lorenzo Meloni Labour union's May Day rally. Paris, France. May 1, 2018. © Lorenzo Meloni | Magnum Photos
Patrick Zachmann Damage done by radical leftists and anarchists during the 1st of May demonstration. Bd de l'Hôpital, 13th district. Paris, France. 02/04/2018. © Patrick Zachmann | Magnum Photos
Enri Canaj Thousands of demonstrators marched across Paris during May Day, joined by protesters from far-left anarchist group Black Blocs. McDonalds restaurant near Austerlitz smashed by protesters. Labour un (...)

As France marks the 50th anniversary of the May 1968 civil unrest, the country is experiencing a new wave of social activism. A year after Emmanuel Macron’s election, on May the 1st, 2018 environmental activists clashed with the government concerning the Notre-Dame-des-Landes airport project, railway workers continued to strike, and hospital workers, Air France pilots and judiciary workers staged their own demonstrations. Meanwhile, far-left anarchist groups known as Black Blocs, took to the streets in their signature all-black attire.

The events of the traditional day of protest were captured by Jerome Sessini, Patrick Zachmann, Lorenzo Meloni, Enri Canaj, as well as Bruno Barbey, who photographed the historic May protests in Paris of 1968.

Police chose not to intervene during the unrest, resulting in significant damage to businesses and property. Fast-food restaurant McDonald’s, which is currently experiencing global staff strikes in relation to pay and contract conditions, was a target. Following the day of protests, Paris police announced that there had been more than 100 arrests across the city. “It’s been a long time since we saw numbers at this level,” said, Michel Delpuech, the Paris chief of police.

French President Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Australia, tweeted: “I firmly condemn the violence of the rogue demonstrations which took place today. We will do everything so that the perpetrators are identified and made responsible for their actions.”

With more demonstrations and strikes planned for the coming weeks, May is set to be a traditionally politically charged month in France.

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