Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Several hundred angry protesters booed President Nicolas Sarkozy, forcing him to take refuge in a café protected by riot police as he campaigned yesterday in France's south-west Basque country.
Riot police surrounded the Bar du Palais in Bayonne, where Mr Sarkozy holed up to get away from the protesters – some of them Basque nationalists, others carrying posters of rival Socialist candidate François Hollande.
Inside the café, Mr Sarkozy denounced "the violence of a minority and their unacceptable behaviour".
He remained in the café for about an hour, meeting with residents of Bayonne. Some of the protesters outside threw eggs towards the barrier of riot police guarding the café.
The conservative Mr Sarkozy trails Mr Hollande, the front-runner, in the two-pronged April and May presidential election.
"Here, we're in France, on the territory of the French republic, and the president of the republic will go everywhere," Mr Sarkozy said once inside the café. "And if that doesn't please a minority of troublemakers, too bad for them."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments