Clashes between police and "yellow vests" during the march of May 1 in Paris

Hundreds of anti-capitalist activists known as "black blocks", mixed in the middle of a procession of "yellow vests", face the security forces in Paris. The riots started a few minutes before The demonstration will officially begin on May 1st.

In a climate of tension, the police dispersed grenades and tear gas against rioters in the south of the French capital. Some demonstrators reacted by throwing projectiles. At least one civilian was injured in the head, according to the agency AFP.

The traditional marches of May 1 in Paris are generally peaceful and dedicated to wage demands, but the increasing tension caused by the succession of violent demonstrations carried out by the "yellow vests" leads the government to take strong security measures.

More than 7,400 police and gendarmes have been deployed in the French capital for demonstrations. Authorities they expected the presence of "1,000 to 2,000 radical militants", according to the Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner.

As early as dawn, about 20 police officers started to register bags randomly near the station of Saint-Lazare, in the center of Paris. Until 11:15 local (9:15 GMT), there were 3,700 identity checks throughout the city as part of the same strategy.

In total, 88 people were arrested before the altercations. Thethey carried all kinds of incendiary devices, objects that could be used as weapons or other instruments or clothing to conceal their own identity. But the preventive measures did not prevent the incidents.

President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that the answer to these "black blocks" – anti-capitalist and anti-fascist militants dressed in black and covered faces – is "extremely firm" in case of violence, after calls on social networks to turn Paris into "capital of riots".

Last year, 1,200 radical activists tarnished the demonstration in Paris with violent altercations: shops vandalized or burned, burned vehicles. "You do not have to dramatize, it's a question of vigilance (…) Tomorrow (for Wednesday), there is a risk", Castaner said at a press conference.

Although demonstrations are planned throughout France, the focus is on the capital, often the scene of spectacular incidents since the beginning of the demonstrations of "yellow vests". Over the months, the movement has been out of breath with radicalization, with violent altercations on the sidelines of the demonstrations.

Trapped between "black blocks" and "yellow vests", unions hope to regain visibility, through several rallies and a large mobilization of Montparnbade in the Plaza de Italia, south of the capital.

"May 1st is to bring together all those who have been demonstrating for months and months (…) to say that social policy must be changed, "said Philippe Martinez, Secretary General of the CGT, one of the main French trade unions

The procession will pbad in front of the famous restaurant of The Rotunda, "symbol" of power since Emmanuel Macron celebrated his pbadage in the second round in the presidential elections of 2017. Its owners admitted Tuesday to be a little worried, considering that the famous Fouquet des Champs-Elysées, looted and set on fire, ended on March 16th during a demonstration of "yellow vests".

"We are not afraid of the trade union processions but" yellow jackets "and" black blocks ", explained Serge Tafanel, whose restaurant will be closed at the request of the police, like all the shops located on the walking route.

In total, 190 motorcycles circulate near the demonstrations to allow the security forces to move quickly. The drones are also used to monitor the procession, said the interior minister.

With information from Jean-Louis Prévost / Marie Wolfrom (AFP) and EFE