Police said they stopped 500 vehicles that were trying to get into Paris on Saturday in a ‘freedom convoy' protest against COVID-19 restrictions.
The vehicles were intercepted at three entry points into the French capital and more than 150 tickets were handed out, police said on Twitter.
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Police have mobilized thousands of officers, set up checkpoints and deployed armored personnel carriers and water cannon trucks in preparation for the protests.
Inspired by horn-blaring “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations in Canada, the motorists – from numerous cities across France – were seeking to defy a police order not to enter the city.
In Canada, the protests have united truckers angered by a vaccine mandate for crossing borders but in France it is everyday folk angry over COVID restrictions who are taking to their vehicles.
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