400 arrests and 60 police officers injured in France

Wave of violence

400 arrests and 60 police officers injured in France

A town hall largely destroyed, shops looted, 60 police officers injured: France is experiencing a day of protests full of violence. Why the government also fears a new yellow vest protest.

After a France-wide day of protests with unprecedented riots and looting in Paris and other cities, the situation remained tense in the evening. In the central French city of Limoges, firefighters battled a fire set by rioters that largely destroyed the large, historic town hall. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire expressed concern on BFMTV because looters were still on the move in parts of the capital. The government met for an emergency meeting in the evening.

Nationwide protests against the high cost of living took place in many cities France to violence and property damage with millions in damages. Masked rioters, who according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez came from the far-left spectrum, attacked town halls, police stations and other state buildings. 400 people were arrested and 60 police officers were injured.

According to media reports, there were also injuries among the demonstrators. In Saint-Étienne, a 17-year-old had his hand torn off by a grenade fired by the police, the newspaper Le Figaro reported. In Nancy, eastern France, three people were injured by a stun grenade fired by emergency services, the newspaper “L’Est Républicain” wrote.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the riots: “To those who obviously want to use these acts of violence as a ‘warm-up round’ before the presidential elections, I say very clearly: we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated. Nobody will implement their political agenda with violence.” The instructions are clear: “Prevent attacks, protect property and people, arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

president Emmanuel Macron threatened those responsible with consequences. “There is no place for violence in our republic,” he said in the evening. “Those who destroyed and attacked both prefectures and businesses, and even looted our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished.”

He assured the law enforcement officers who guaranteed the right to demonstrate the nation’s support, Macron wrote on

According to Interior Minister Nuñez, 550,000 people took part in the protests and demonstrations across the country, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT union spoke of 800,000 participants.

As the Interior Ministry announced, several demonstrations in Paris tried to move towards state authorities. The law enforcement officers intervened systematically to prevent these movements and secure the institutional locations. Among other things, demonstrators came to the Champs-Élysées, which was closed for the protests, and also wanted to advance towards the Élysée Palace, ultimately without success.

Already in the morning emergency services were in Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg and other major cities used tear gas and batons against protesters. Water cannons were also used.