Tear gas used in Paris as protesters rally across France
Demonstrations against the rising cost of living have taken place alongside high school pupil protests.
Tear gas and water cannons have been used to disperse violent groups of protesters in Paris as scuffles broke out between demonstrators and police in the French capital.
Protests are taking place across France against rising living costs and in support of demonstrations by high school students.
Police used tear gas to push back people wearing hoods and masks and throwing fireworks and other objects at officers in the Place de la République, north-east of Paris city centre, while a car and a newspaper kiosk were set on fire.
Large numbers of riot police were deployed in the square and surrounding streets.
In Lyon, France’s third largest city, fire broke out inside a tourist office. Smoke and flames were seen rising from the building.
In the southern port city of Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, while some protesters briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall.
Protesters across France have responded to calls on social media to revive the “yellow vest” movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice.
Student groups protesting since mid-September through school blockades have urged supporters to join them.
The CGT, one of France’s biggest unions, also backed the protests, calling for “higher wages and pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet people’s needs”.
Interior minister Laurent Nuñez’s office said authorities had recorded 140 protest actions outside the Paris region by midday, involving more than 30,000 people. Authorities reported at least 166 arrests across the country.
Mr Nuñez’s office pointed to violence carried out by people wearing masks in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers, including attempted looting, attacks on police officers, street furniture being set ablaze and the targeting of government institutions and media outlets.
In the southern port city of Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, while some protesters briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall.
Marseille mayor Benoît Payan, speaking on BFM television, described “limited damage” in the lobby after protesters were dispersed by police.
On Friday, French president Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm and respect for people and property as officials warned of possible violence.
“There is a constitutional right to protest and to express oneself, and I have always been vigilant and attentive that that right is fully respected,” Mr Macron said in Brussels.
“But this right comes with the need to respect. Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy.”
Mr Macron denounced the potential presence of people “solely to cause damage and create unrest” as “unacceptable”.
Many Metro stations were closed on Saturday at police request, including those around the Champs-Elysees and near the presidential palace, parliament and government offices.
In recent weeks, France has seen thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries, and schools set on fire as the new school year descended into nationwide pupil protests that are influencing the country’s presidential election campaign and drawing international attention.
Among protesters, particularly gruesome wounds suffered by some teenagers have been blamed on police riot-control weapons.
Mr Nuñez suspended the use of a type of police stun grenade against the young demonstrators after a 15-year-old lost a hand.
On Tuesday, climate and social justice activist Greta Thunberg joined students at a high school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.