French police in streets to condemn "anti-cop hatred"

Thousands of weary police officers took to the streets in French cities on Wednesday to denounce "anti-cop hatred" following a spate of violent stand-offs in the past weeks with masked youth protest against the government's proposed labor reform bill.

Local media here reported that about 10,000 policemen flocked to Place de la Republic in the capital city, the same place that daily clashes took place with supporters of the nocturnal movement "Up all Night."

Near the capital's vast square, a police car was torched on Wednesday, forcing the officers inside to abandon the vehicle. According to local reports, a group of youth chanting "police everywhere, justice nowhere" threw a smoking object into the car.

Meanwhile, a counter-protest by a group accusing the police of brutality was banned on Wednesday.

In recent weeks, anti-labor code demonstrations have turned violent in many cities where hooded youth threw projectiles and paving stones.

Police unions said more than 350 officers had been wounded since the nationwide rallies against labor reform began in March.

A total of 1,300 people have been arrested with 819 placed in custody and 51 convicted on charges of violent acts, according to Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

At a cabinet meeting, French President Francois Hollande expressed "a clear message of support to all police forces in a challenging climate," stressing that "the balance between maintaining public order and respect of rights has to be perfectly preserved."

The police rally coincided with a new wave of strikes staged by French rail and port workers in addition to truckers who blocked roads. Endit