Praying protesters shocked as fellow objector abandons praying and attacks bystander at St Rita's church
THIS is the startling moment that a man protesting the closure of a French church sucker punches a bystander in a seemingly unprovoked attack.
The sudden attack, apparently sparked by the bystander's loud music, occurred while objectors prayed during protests against the demolition of Saint Rita's Church in Paris, France.
In the video of the attack, the group of about a dozen people can be seen kneeling on the street, praying.
But when a bystander saunters closer to the group, a bearded man immediately stands up from the peaceful group and walks to him.
It is then the protester punches the other man, with the bystander hitting the ground heavily.
The protester, wearing a blue shirt, then punches the felled man again before grabbing him with both hands and pulling him into the street.
Shocked protesters jump to their feet in horror at the attack.
The person videoing the incident reportedly shared the video, writing that the victim of the attack had been playing loud music on his phone.
The description of the attack also said that the victim was "chastised for his rudeness" by "a soldier in Christ".
The man's injuries are unknown.
Protests around the demolition of the Saint Rita church have been marked by violence with a Catholic priest dragged out of Mass while with a group of protesters within the church.
Riot police stormed the church building on August 2 and dragged out about 20 people.
Officers also ripped pews away from the entrance.
The building, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, was built in 1900 but was earmarked for demolition when the owner, The Association of Catholic and Apostolic Cahpels, decided to replace the structure with a housing development.
The decision to demolish the building was made in October 2015 but since then has been heavily protested.
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