French police beat protesters, fire tear gas into crowd

Thousands of people marched in French capital Paris on Thursday as rail strikes and student protests continue to disrtupt daily life.
Violent clashes erupted between protesters and police in Paris during demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's labour law changes.

The demonstration organized by a major trade union was overshadowed by clashes between chanting protesters who threw rocks and bottles at authorities.

Police responded to protesters by beating them back and firing tear gas into the crowd.

According to the police, two people were arrested and seven officers were slightly injured.

The demonstration was accompanied by others across the country, including in the western French city of Nantes.

France has been rocked by a slew of protests this spring, prompted by other government plans to tax retirees more, cut jobs in some hospitals and reorganize the justice system.