Ninety-six protesters were arrested
Sunday by police in Paris as a group of hardline activists clashed
with riot police hours after a massive demonstration calling for
repeal of a recently approved gay marriage law had officially ended.
An estimated 150,000 protesters
gathered at the historic Esplanade des Invalides just across the
Seine River from the Champs Elysees to voice their disapproval with
the law set to take effect on Wednesday.
(Related: Gay
marriage opponents stage Paris march days before law's start.)
According
to RT, a group of roughly 200 activists attacked riot police, TV
camera crews and press photographers with bottles, stones, fireworks
and flares.
The clash occurred more than an hour
after the demonstration had officially ended and the majority of
people had headed home.
Many of those who were detained refused
police orders to disperse, clashed with police, or occupied private
property.
Police
arrested an additional 50 protesters on Saturday.