France Protests Turn Violent as More Than 1,200 Arrested

AFP

Fire burns and destroys the city hall in Limoges after a group of individuals forced entry into the building during ongoing protest.

More than 1,200 people were arrested across France on Saturday as demonstrations over deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living descended into violence, with buildings set alight, businesses looted and clashes erupting between protesters and police.

The French government described the unrest as an “escalation in violence”, as an estimated 550,000 people took to the streets nationwide.

In Paris, riot police fired tear gas and used water cannon as confrontations continued into the evening. Vehicles were torched, shops were ransacked and buildings set ablaze, including around the Place de la République in the city centre.

A large fire at Limoges town hall caused part of the roof to collapse, while the tourist office in Lyon was also set alight. Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet described the incident as “a tragedy”, saying the building was an iconic and historic landmark.

Local police in Lyon said “hostile individuals” had prevented firefighters from safely tackling the blaze.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers had been injured during the unrest. In Saint-Étienne, a young man lost his hand in an explosion involving a small explosive device, according to the city’s mayor, Régis Juanico.

Although the main march in Paris appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon, violence escalated as the day progressed. The BBC reported seeing fights among groups of protesters, while footage verified by BBC Verify showed masked men driving a tourist train through central Grenoble towards riot police.

Looting and vandalism were reported in several cities, including Paris, Lille, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse, Angers, Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence. An Apple store in Lille was broken into and emptied, while clothing and food shops were targeted in the capital.

The demonstrations come after weeks of protests by students over staff shortages and deteriorating facilities in France’s "lycées", secondary schools attended by pupils aged 15 to 18.

The unrest has also drawn participation from groups associated with the "gilets jaunes", or "yellow vest" movement, which staged protests against rising living costs for more than a year from 2018.

France’s Interior Ministry said Saturday’s demonstrations included targeted acts of violence by hooded individuals in several locations.

The unrest comes as France faces a period of political uncertainty ahead of next year’s presidential election, with President Emmanuel Macron due to leave office.

Opinion polls suggest the April election could develop into a contest involving Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the left-wing La France Insoumise party.

Mélenchon joined demonstrations and accused police of "unleashing" violence against protesters, while condemning looting and arson. Lecornu criticised his remarks as “dangerous and cynical”.

The prime minister had earlier accused some groups of using the demonstrations as a "warm-up" for the presidential election, warning that political agendas would not be imposed through violence.

Le Pen said protesters’ "legitimate demands" had been "held hostage by the far left" and accused Mélenchon of fuelling the unrest.

Macron said those responsible for attacking public buildings, damaging businesses and looting town halls would be prosecuted and punished.

The government has announced measures aimed at addressing some of the protesters’ concerns. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said in a television interview on 8 October that 3,000 additional supply teachers would be provided.

However, demonstrations have continued and intensified despite the proposed concessions.

Source: BBC



PUKMEDIA