Police clash with anti-gay marriage protesters in Paris

French police have clashed with tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting in the capital against a piece of legislation allowing same-sex marriage.

The clashes broke out on Friday, as the protesters gathered near the National Assembly, blowing whistles and waving banners denouncing the government's policies. 

Police used tear gas against the protesters and made at least one arrest. 

The protest followed demonstrations in the capital and other cities on Thursday, when police detained over 70 people. 

The debate over gay marriage is set to reach a potentially-explosive climax on Sunday. 

On April 9, the upper house of the French parliament approved by 179 votes against 157 the first article of the bill, which legalizes marriage between two people of the same gender. The bill is due to be approved finally on Tuesday. 

Another article concerning the right of same-sex couples to adopt children will be voted on separately. 

The legislation is hugely controversial as the country is mainly Catholic, although, it is officially secular. 

France has experienced huge protests against the same-sex marriage bill, including a rally on March 24, where police attacked thousands of participants with tear gas and batons. 

French churches have also condemned the bill, calling gay marriage “a sham” that would “shake one of the foundations of our society.” 

President Francois Hollande had promised to throw his weight behind the bill as the proposed legislation was one of his presidential campaign promises. 

Several other European states, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Spain, and Sweden have also authorized same-sex marriage. 

YH/HN/HJL 

Source: PressTV (20/04/2013): http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/20/299227/police-clash-with-protesters-in-paris/