At least five police officers sustained injuries in clashes with rioters in Martinique overnight, local reports say.
According to local media, rioters fired at the police, set buildings and cars on fire, blocked roadways and looted businesses between 9:50 p.m. Saturday and about 2.00 a.m on Sunday.
The communities of Sainte-Thérèse and Canal Alaric in Fort de France experienced the worst of the violence to which police responded with tear gas.
Reports say the overnight unrest came after the conclusion of the mass protest on Saturday organised by trade unions and other groups, to denounce the imposition of a health pass and compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations for certain professions, including health care workers.
However, Police said that some individuals were using the disquiet over COVID-19 measures as an excuse to commit acts of lawlessness.
“We have demonstrators who do not demonstrate against government measures but who want to do battle with the national police, and who clearly attack property and people,” RCI.FM quoted police spokesman, Jimmy Hélénis, as saying.
Headline photo: Rioters set vaccine centre on fire
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