France: Riotous scenes as leftists challenge govt on Bastille Day

Riot police clashed with leftist protesters in Paris, Tuesday, during the annual French Bastille Day parades. Several protest groups marched around Paris, with many culminating at the National Assembly, where they fumed against French authorities. One of the groups, comprising of around 500 protesters, were blocked by the police and tried to force the police barrier. The riot police used batons to stop the protesters and beat them to the ground. At least 20 protesters were arrested and were dragged away into police vans. Bastille Day marks the start of the French Revolution, one of incisive movements being the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, when protesters released seven prisoners from the site, considered a symbol of the abuses of the French monarchy at the time. Celebrations are held throughout France, with large military parades running through the French capital.