A new wave of protests swept France today - about 800,000 people took to the streets across the country despite the bans (the police say 400,000). Clashes between protesters and the police took place in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier and other cities. The demonstrators again burned cars, threw stones and pyrotechnics at the police, and even tried to ram the lines of the police with supermarket carts. The security forces responded by actively using tear gas and water cannons - this time the authorities brought 70 thousand workers and even armored personnel carriers to ensure order. The protesters continue to demand that the government raise wages, reduce prices and improve education conditions. The next big demonstrations are expected in the country next weekend.

A new wave of protests swept France today - about 800,000 people took to the streets across the country despite the bans (the police say 400,000). Clashes between protesters and the police took place in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier and other cities. The demonstrators again burned cars, threw stones and pyrotechnics at the police, and even tried to ram the lines of the police with supermarket carts. The security forces responded by actively using tear gas and water cannons - this time the authorities brought 70 thousand workers and even armored personnel carriers to ensure order. The protesters continue to demand that the government raise wages, reduce prices and improve education conditions. The next big demonstrations are expected in the country next weekend.