French police walk up the Champs-Elysees Avenue in central Paris, May 25, 2013.
French police have arrested 50 anti-gay marriage activists in the capital, Paris, ahead of a major rally against a newly approved law that allows same-sex marriage.
The arrests were made during a demonstration along the Champs-Elysees Avenue on Saturday against the week-old law, which legalizes same-sex marriage and gay adoption.
Some of the protesters chained themselves to metal barriers they placed in the middle of the busy avenue.
On Sunday, a major protest rally is expected to be held against the law. Police say around 200,000 people may attend the demonstration.
French President Francois Hollande signed into law the gay marriage bill on May 18, a day after the Constitutional Council approved the bill, rejecting a challenge by the right-wing opposition.
The approval came despite months of large demonstrations and political wrangling against the legalization.
French churches have also condemned the bill, calling gay marriages Å“a sham” that would Å“shake one of the foundations of our society.”
Hollande had promised to throw his weight behind the bill, as the proposed legislation was one of his presidential campaign promises.
France joined a group of 14 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, and South Africa, which accept same-sex marriage.
CAH/HSN
This article originally appeared on: Press TV