On 2 June 2020, an estimated 20,000 people gathered in cities across France — the largest gathering being in Paris, with smaller gatherings in Lille, Lyon and Marseille — due to outrage over the 25 May police killing of an African American man in the northern U.S. city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as to pay tribute to a black Frenchman who died in police custody in 2016. The gatherings that took place during the daylight hours — despite an existing ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people due to COVID-19 — Remained peaceful. However, later in the evening and overnight hours, clashes broke out between a small group of protesters and police officers in Paris, primarily along Avenue de Clichy in the northwestern 17th arrondissement. Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, who threw debris at the officers, set up barricades and lit fires. There were no reports of injuries, but disruptions occurred as protesters blocked the ring road in the 17th arrondissement before dispersing in the early morning hours of 3 June.