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Demonstrators in Paris prepare for day of anti-racism protests

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Activists douse French health ministry in red paint'
Coronavirus: Activists douse French health ministry in red paint
WATCH: Activists douse French health ministry in red paint – Jun 20, 2020

Protesters are gearing up to stage a protest in Paris against racism and police violence and in memory of Lamine Dieng, a 25-year-old Franco-Senegalese who died in a police van after being arrested in 2007.

The protesters will march from his former home, and will be joined Saturday by a separate demonstration in support of undocumented workers.

Last week, it emerged that the French government agreed to pay 145,000 euros ($162,000) to Dieng’s relatives, after 13 years of legal wrangling.

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Both protests have been authorized by French authorities, who have been exercising caution over protests in recent weeks as the country emerges from coronavirus restrictions.

Click to play video: 'Tear gas fired by police as anti-racism protesters rally in Paris'
Tear gas fired by police as anti-racism protesters rally in Paris

Other protests on Saturday in the French capital have, however, been banned, including an anti-racism demonstration near the U.S. Embassy by the Black African Defence League, and another protest linked to recent violence involving Chechens in the French city of Dijon.

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A small group of activists staged a flash protest Saturday outside the French Health Ministry in support of state medical workers, who are demanding higher pay and more hospital staff after France’s once-renowned health care system struggled to cope with the virus crisis following years of cost cuts.

The protesters sprayed red paint on the ministry building, symbolizing blood, and on a mock medal.

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