Sharjah24 - AFP: The latest in a string of violent standoffs as social tensions flare up across the country saw French police and protestors brawl once more on Saturday as activists attempted to halt reservoir building in the southwest.
The violent scenes in Sainte-Soline in western France came after days of violent protests nationwide over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform that prompted the cancellation of a visit by King Charles III of the UK.
The protest movement against the pension reform have turned into the biggest domestic crisis of Macron's second mandate, with daily clashes in the streets of Paris and other cities between police and protesters.
Several protesters and members of security forces were wounded in the clashes around Sainte-Soline as campaigners sought to stop the construction of reservoirs for the agricultural industry.
A long procession set off late morning, comprising at least 6,000 people according to local authorities and around 25,000 according to the organisers.
"While the country is rising up to defend pensions, we will simultaneously stand up to defend water," said the organisers gathering under the banner of "Bassines non merci" ("No to reservoirs, thank you").
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