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Gay marriage opponents mass in Paris for final rally Gay marriage opponents mass in Paris for final rally
(about 5 hours later)
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in central Paris for a final mass protest against a bill to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption. Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in central Paris for a final mass protest against a bill to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption.
Demonstrators gathered along the Grande-Armee avenue, from the Arc de la Defense to the Arc de Triomphe. Demonstrators gathered along a major street up to the Arc de Triomphe.
There were scuffles as police, reportedly firing tear gas, stopped some protesters trying to push forward. There were scuffles and police fired tear gas as the protest spilled over onto the Champs Elysees, the avenue which runs past the president's palace.
France's Senate is due to debate the bill next month after it was passed by the lower house of parliament.France's Senate is due to debate the bill next month after it was passed by the lower house of parliament.
President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party and its allies dominate both houses.President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party and its allies dominate both houses.
Opinion polls suggest a majority of French people still support gay marriage but their numbers have fallen in recent weeks.Opinion polls suggest a majority of French people still support gay marriage but their numbers have fallen in recent weeks.
A similar rally in January officially drew about 340,000 people but police said they expected numbers at Sunday's rally to be lower.
Banners unfurled along the march route included "Hands off my filiation" and "We want work, not gay marriage".Banners unfurled along the march route included "Hands off my filiation" and "We want work, not gay marriage".
Police had banned the protesters from the Champs Elysees, but groups of them broke through to the avenue.
Police used batons and tear gas to try to dislodge several hundred people who gathered there as the main demonstration ended.
Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the remaining protesters were mostly from far-right groups.
However, the head of the centre-right opposition UMP party, Jean-François Cope, said some families on the protest had been caught up in the teargas.