At least 400 people have been detained as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the high cost of living, soaring fuel prices and the state of public services. Riot police unleashed tear gas in cities nationwide, including Paris, where tens of thousands marched and a water cannon was deployed on crowds at the Place de la République.
Protests revive yellow vest spirit
The demonstrations revived the spirit of the 2018 yellow vest movement, with high school students leading blockades since mid-September and urging others to join. Major labour union CGT backed the protests, calling for "higher wages and pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet people's needs."
President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm ahead of the marches, warning that protest rights must be balanced with responsibility. He said: "This right comes with the need to respect. Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy."
Violence and detentions in major cities
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed over 80 marches and hundreds of actions were expected nationwide, with Metro stations near key Paris landmarks closed at police request. In Lyon, a tourist office was razed to the ground after being set ablaze.
In Marseille, a town hall was stormed and barricades set alight, as footage appears to show demonstrators launching an attack on a bank. Police confirmed that 150 protesters were detained in Paris "primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear".
Student unrest over school conditions
Student protests in France have seen hundreds of thousands flood the streets since demonstrations first erupted late last month. Protesters are calling for greater investment in their schools, voicing anger over a shortage of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.
