Thousands of people across France took to the streets on Saturday for the third weekend in a row to protest the country's vaccine passports, with some demonstrations turning violent in the capital.
French lawmakers have passed a bill requiring citizens to present proof of vaccination before entering restaurants and other venues.
The so-called COVID-19 "green pass" is set to be introduced in most of the country on Aug. 9, according to The Associated Press.
Advertisement - story continues below
Anti-vaccine passport protesters have gathered across France in increasingly large numbers.
Using the slogan "liberty," an estimated 204,000 people nationwide took part in Saturday's protests, including 14,250 in Paris.
TRENDING: Hamas' propaganda videos: Kinder, gentler terrorists?
While most of the protests were peaceful, videos posted online showed some clashes with riot police.
Officers used tear gas and a water cannon against violent crowds in Paris, according to the AP. Three officers were reportedly injured.
Advertisement - story continues below
đč| French police clash with Covid health pass protesters
âȘïžSome 3,000 security forces have deployed around the French capital for a third weekend of protests.
âȘïžFrench police have difficulty in containing crowds marching through Paris.#PassSanitaire #France #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/C5Za0UWE0lâ EHA News (@eha_news) July 31, 2021
French police violently fought with demonstrators and fired tear gas as thousands gathered to protest President Macronâs push for a Covid-19 vaccine pass pic.twitter.com/Z4288eM2mc
â TRT World (@trtworld) July 31, 2021
Images impressionnantes de la manifestation Ă #Nice contre le #PassSanitaire.#manifestation31juillet #manif31juillet pic.twitter.com/GxdQOSBp4p
â Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) July 31, 2021
Advertisement - story continues below
14 250 manifestants au total Ă Paris ? MĂȘme Kim Jong-un nâaurait pas osĂ© đ
Regardez rien que notre manif —ïž#manifestation31juillet pic.twitter.com/sdDGEqrFS9â Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) July 31, 2021
Francois Asselineau, the leader of a small French political party, called on people to oppose the "absurd, unjust and totally liberty-killing" vaccine passports in a video on the party's website.
Advertisement - story continues below
One protester, who recently resigned from her job as a nurse, called the vaccine pass a form of government blackmail.
âI think that we mustnât be told what to do,â the unnamed woman said.
âAnd now, suddenly we are told that if we donât get vaccinated it is our fault that people are contaminated. I think it is sickening.â
All French health care workers will be required to receive the vaccine by mid-September.
Advertisement - story continues below
The AP reported that a majority of French citizens support the vaccine passport. More than half of the French people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.