Tens of thousands protested across France against a clampdown on immigrants.
Demonstrators opposed to measures including repatriation of Roma to eastern Europe waved flags and placards and chanted slogans including ‘Stop repression’ and ‘No to Sarkozy's inhumane policies’.
Critics see expulsions of Roma gypsies as part of a drive by French President Nicholas Sarkozy to revive his popularity before 2012 elections and divert attention from painful pension reforms and spending cuts.
The president says the security measures are needed to combat crime.
Thousands of demonstrators representing human rights groups, left-wing political parties and unions marched in bright sunshine through central Paris, led by Roma.
Police estimated the turnout at 12,000.
Tens of thousands more rallied in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and some 130 other towns and cities.
Mr Sarkozy's security policy, especially on Roma, has drawn criticism outside France too, and demonstrations were due to take place outside French embassies in other European capitals.
Earlier, a French aid organisation accused the government of 'declaring war' on Roma migrants saying the destruction of illegal camps was forcing many in the minority to sleep rough.
'This summer, there has been a veritable declaration of war which has manifested itself in the systematic destruction of the places in which they live,' said Dr Philippe Rodier of Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World).
According to the organisation, nine of the 14 main Roma camps in the city have been destroyed, with hundreds of people forced to live in the streets.
'Our teams have heard that things are very hard for (Roma) families, who have been gravely insulted,' said Dr Rodier.
French authorities have expelled nearly 1,000 Roma to Romania and Bulgaria since announcing a high-profile crackdown in July.
More than 8,000 have been deported since the beginning of the year, with 9,875 expelled throughout last year.
Unions launch week of protests
Elsewhere, unions have launched a week of protests with a Paris rally that could provide an early measure of resistance to pension reforms on which Mr Sarkozy has staked his political reputation.
Unions and human rights groups gathered to protest against security measures, including the repatriation of the Roma.
Critics see that action as part of a drive by Mr Sarkozy to revive his popularity before 2012 elections and divert attention from painful pension reforms and spending cuts.
Mr Sarkozy faces a bigger test on Tuesday when workers hold a nationwide strike and protests over the pension reforms he says are essential to cut the country's budgetary deficit.
He said yesterday that he was determined to stand by the reforms, which among other things will raise the retirement age to 62 from 60.
Unions say everything from schools and public transport to telecommunications will be disrupted.
The National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, begins debating the pension reforms that day.
