Some 200-300 undocumented migrants stormed the Pantheon – a popular tourist site and mausoleum – where the most renowned French national heroes, such as Voltaire or Victor Hugo, are buried.  The majority of the protesters, who call themselves ‘Black Vests’ – in an analogy with the Yellow Vests movement – are believed to be migrants of West African origin.

“We are paperless, voiceless, faceless for the French Republic. We come to the graves of your great men to denounce your disrespect,” one of the protest organizers said in a statement ahead of the event.

"We will remain here until the last one of us has been given documents," a leaflet given out by an organiser read.

The protest triggered a massive police response, several people have been reportedly detained. Still, the event appears to be largely peaceful, the protesters have been displaying banners and shouting slogans without getting rowdy and avoiding scuffles with law enforcement.

The protesters eventually vacated the monument, yet refused to disperse and tried to hold a rally in front of it. A group of the ‘Black Vests’ has been spotted trying to hold a sit-in protest right next to the Pantheon.

The protesters were heard chanting “Black Vests, Black Vests,” “What do we want? Papers!”

Right wing leader Marine Le Pen called the occupation unacceptable. She tweeted: "In France, the only future for any illegal immigrant should be getting kicked out, because that's the law."

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