French police bans Paris demo, unions furious
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French police on Wednesday banned a Paris protest march 24 hours before labour unions were set to lead tens of thousands into the streets, setting the scene for a potentially violent standoff if the demonstration goes ahead.
Left-wingers condemned what they said was the first ban of a union-backed protest since the early 1960s when protesters died in clashes with police during a march banned by the Paris police prefect of the time, Maurice Papon.
The decision followed a breakdown in negotiations between the government and the leaders of the CGT and Force Ouvriere (FO) unions, who refused proposals that they hold a rally in a large square but not march through the streets of the capital.
