Alwaght- In an interesting turn of events, French police staged protests around the country to denounce the “anti-cop hatred” they say they have suffered in two months of protests against labor reforms.
But in a sign that their call is not being heard by all, an angry crowd torched a police car in central Paris after surrounding the vehicle, forcing the officers inside to flee.
The anti-police activists were heard shouting: "Police everywhere, justice nowhere,” and "Cops, murderers." Police officers escaped from the car when a smoke bomb or Molotov cocktail set it on fire.
A total of 350 police officers have been injured in clashes at the protests, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.
Police believe they have been unfairly treated by the public for simply trying to do their job. A major French police union, Alliance, says there is a mounting “anti-cop hatred” becoming evident in France.
While police were protesting "anti-cop" brutality, their opponents tried to gather for a counter-rally, which was banned by authorities.
On Tuesday, President Francois Hollande warned the rioters: "Enough is enough, and it cannot go on without a response."
French president is facing violent street protests across the country after the government imposed capitalist-friendly reforms to the country's labor laws.
President Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls decided last week to use their constitutional powers to impose the labor law reforms by decree.
Hardline trade unions and a bloc of traditionalist Socialist politicians – including several former ministers and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo – oppose the changes. So do 70 per cent of French people.
Known as the El Khomri law, after the labor minister, the legislation has given birth to an entire protest movement, Nuit Debout, which has been likened to Occupy in the US, but enjoys broader support in France.
