But one 30-year-old self-described anarchist, refusing to give his name, was unapologetic as he helped dry off fellow protestors drenched by police water canons.
“With 200 people we have shown to millions of people that it’s possible to bring people onto the streets and make clear that we are not going to simply accept everything decided by the people at the top,” he told AFP. “And we believe that we have brought across a pretty good message — that it’s possible to protest and that there is no need to be scared of the police,” he said.