EN VIDEO Protests in Paris French police officer kicks in

[EN VIDÉO] Protests in Paris: French police officer kicks in the back

A French police officer was kicked by a protester in Paris as he and other police officers patrolled the city’s streets to quell protests against pension reforms.

• Also read: [EN IMAGES] Another day of protests in France, refineries in sight

In the video published on Twitter by Mediavenir on Saturday, we can see citizens following the group of police officers with phones in hand and booing the police with “Band of Bastards”.

Then a man appears from behind, runs and at full speed shoots a kick at one of the patrolling cops, who falls violently to the ground.

The video, which is around six seconds long, does not show the rest.

The comments below the video are very divided, with some outraged by the violent gesture, others taking the opportunity to criticize the police and government.

The streets of Paris have been the scene of violent protests since the French government activated constitutional Article 49.3, which can allow legislation to be passed in the National Assembly without a vote, as part of pension reforms.

With this law, Emmanuel Macron’s government hopes to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.