Several people were arrested across France during a day of mass protests calling for measures to address the high cost of living and improve education. The protests were accompanied by widespread clashes, looting of stores, arson, and assaults, with authorities condemning the acts of violence.
According to French authorities, 420 people have been arrested so far across the country. The Ministry of the Interior reported attacks on police officers and incidents of looting, while several cities saw serious damage to public buildings and retail stores.
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In Lyon, the tourist office sustained serious damage when protesters smashed windows and a fire broke out in the building. The city’s mayor described the loss of the tourist office as “heartbreaking.” In Lille, protesters stormed City Hall, and according to the city’s mayor, stores were looted. In Marseille, dozens of stores in the city center were targeted by looters.
Clashes also broke out in Paris, where protesters smashed storefronts, looted shops, and threw glass bottles. Meanwhile, a roadblock was set on fire near the Canal Saint-Martin. In Saint-Étienne, a protester was seriously injured, resulting in the amputation of his hand, according to the French television network BFM TV. Injuries to police officers were reported in Toulon.
French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, condemned the incidents, stressing that peaceful protests have a place in a democracy, but “arson, looting, and attacks have no place.” At the same time, he warned that no one would allow a political agenda to be imposed through violence, taking a swipe at those who might attempt to exploit the riots ahead of the presidential election.
For her part, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right “National Rally,” accused the rioters of “poisoning” the protests. In contrast, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing “Unbowed France,” argued that the media is placing excessive emphasis on the violent incidents, while, as he claimed, “everything is proceeding peacefully.”
The protests follow three weeks of student demonstrations across the country. As part of the protests, calls have been made for the participation of labor unions, as well as figures from the “Yellow Vests” movement—which had spearheaded mass protests in France in recent years—to join the protests.
Despite the social demands, the widespread clashes and destruction have sparked strong reactions, with the Ministry of the Interior condemning the attacks and describing them as targeted acts of violence.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm,” urging protesters to show “respect for people and property.”
