Paris:Protests against the high cost of living erupted into violence in several major French cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, during a national day of mobilization on Saturday. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement in these cities, leading to significant disturbances.
According to Burkina Information Agency, in Paris, two marches organized by student and trade union groups were disrupted by violence before they could begin. Protesters dressed in black and some wearing yellow vests threw stones and smoke bombs at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades, and eventually a water cannon after two hours of clashes.
The headquarters of the CNews channel in Paris was also targeted by protesters. Around a hundred individuals threw projectiles and broke windows before being dispersed, resulting in at least 21 arrests.
In Lyon, the tourist office in Place Bellecour was ransacked and set on fire, with several nearby businesses also damaged. Thousands of protesters gathered in the square despite the gathering not being authorized. Law enforcement struggled to disperse violent groups, preventing firefighters from safely intervening until after 3 pm. Lyon's mayor, Grégory Doucet, condemned the violence, emphasizing the importance of public buildings as common property.
In Marseille, about ten protesters stormed the town hall, vandalizing walls and damaging the bust of Marianne. On Canebière, shops were vandalized, and the municipal police station was damaged.
The protests extended beyond these cities, with significant gatherings in Montpellier, Rennes, Saint-Nazaire, Angoulême, and Tours. Authorities recorded 140 actions involving 32,800 people across the province by midday. The government had expected between 150,000 demonstrators outside Paris and 20,000 to 40,000 in the capital.
The movement, which began on social media to protest rising fuel prices, has grown to include a wider grievance against the high cost of living. It has united various groups, including former Yellow Vest protesters, students, union members, farmers, and drivers. Communist MP Fabien Roussel urged continued mobilization to pressure the government for budgetary changes.