Alarming footage from Paris shows a woman being tackled to the ground by police for allegedly breaking nationwide lockdown measures, The Sun has reported.
The video was posted to Twitter by user Amar Taoualit, who wrote the caption in French explaining that the woman allegedly did not have the correct documentation to be outdoors.
This is the moment she was tackled by police:The footage shows a group of officers, some of them armed, holding the woman down on Paris' Rue Poulet as she struggles and shouts at them.
French human rights and civil liberties activist Yasser Louati replied to the clip, writing: "No break from racism, even during the coronavirus crisis. Watch in disgust a black woman being thrown to the ground, handcuffed by French police for not having her document to leave her house.
"Meanwhile white Parisians can run around the city, unchecked by this same police."
Yesterday, (Wednesday, 18 March) was the first full official day of France's lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic. Per France 24, police across the nation were forced to hand out more than 4,000 fines to those who violated the order to self-isolate at home.
"Since this morning, we have begun procedures and 4,095 people were booked (for violating the rules)," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told TF1 television, per France 24. "The fine was 35 euros ($38) yesterday, and now from today is 135 euros and it can go up to 375 euros. It should be a factor that dissuades people," he added.
A man leaves his house in a T-Rex costume during the coronavirus lockdown in Spain:Since midday on Tuesday, it is a legal requirement for all French citizens to carry a document justifying their need to venture outside, or they run the risk of a fine.
The Interior Minister added to Europe 1 radio, per Metro: "We have only one goal, which is to win the war against COVID-19. It is not heroic to flout the rules, it is moronic."
If need be, France's government has said it will extend the lockdown, which is currently set to last two weeks.