French police have arrested more than 100 activists as protests against a bill legalizing marriage and adoption for gay couples enters its final phase.
The measure has already been approved in the French parliament’s upper and lower houses. A final vote in the National Assembly is planned for Tuesday and is considered a formality.
Opponents, however, have not lessened their demands that the Socialist government of President Francois Hollande abandon its plan and let the people decide the issue. In Paris, they marched for three nights in a row starting on Wednesday.
Police have arrested more than 100 people as activists damaged cars and public property and attacked police officers and two journalists, The Local reported.
On Sunday, tens of thousands joined a demonstration in Paris.
Organizers said they expected between 30,000 and 50,000 people to join the march.
Actress Frigide Barjot, whose group Manif pour Tous (Demonstration for All) has vociferously opposed passage of the measure, told media that she wanted a peaceful demonstration.
“We want a peaceful demonstration and we reject all groups that directly target homosexual people,” Barjot said.
The AFP reported that police had detained three protesters carrying canisters of teargas.
Equal marriage supporters gathered for a counter demonstration on the large Bastille square.
“Those who are for more equality must also make themselves heard,” said Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who is openly gay.
by Carlos Santoscoy
Source – On Top Magazine
