Paris police have arrested nine people and scuffled with masked protesters as several thousand of people marched through the French capital to protest against the labor bill promoted by the government.

Demonstrators shouted anti-government slogans during the largely peaceful march advanced from the Bastille plaza through eastern Paris, AP reports. The protesters are angry at a reform that gives employers more flexibility to hire and fire and weakens the power of unions.

A police official said nine people were detained for property damage and police encountered some minor violence from protesters.