- Supporters of a French
far-right presidential candidate brawled with protesters at a rally, video shows. - The
violence kicked off at former TV personality Eric Zemmour's campaign launch in Paris.
Supporters of a French far-right presidential candidate punched and brawled with protesters during a rally launching the politician's run for office on Sunday, video shows.
SOS Racisme, a Paris-based anti-racist activist group, posted a video on Twitter showing protestors wearing "No to Racism" shirts standing up during the campaign event for former TV personality Eric Zemmour.
Soon after the group stands up, nearby supporters of Zemmour begin to shove the protesters. One protester is pushed off their chair while another person dives into the crowd and throws a punch.
Someone throws a chair into the scrum, while others chant and scream as more people pile in.
On Monday, French prosecutors announced an investigation into the violence that took place at the rally, after more than 60 people were detained.
Zemmour himself was targeted before the event.
As Zemmour, 63, was making his way into the campaign rally, someone in the crowd reached out and wrapped his arms around the candidate in a headlock, the Washington Post reported.
Zemmour injured his wrist in the scuffle, according to the BBC.
Zemmour has shared both anti-immigration and anti-media sentiments and is running in the country's upcoming presidential election, scheduled for April 2022.
He has previously been convicted for hate speech.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who faces a slate of right-wing challengers, hasn't formally announced he's running for reelection.