Nearly 1,000 Arrested as Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent Across France

Fresh nationwide protests have erupted across France over rising living costs and deteriorating conditions in educational institutions. Demonstrations remained largely peaceful during the day on Saturday, October 24, but clashes broke out between protesters and police in several cities at night. French officials said nearly 1,000 people had been arrested.

According to the French Interior Ministry, approximately 410,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations. However, the organising trade unions estimated the turnout at around 800,000.

A BBC report said approximately 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide to maintain order. Special restrictions were also imposed in several cities to prevent a repeat of the vandalism, looting and arson reported during the previous week’s protests.

Clashes in Paris and Other Cities
In the capital, Paris, clashes between demonstrators and riot police erupted toward the end of an otherwise peaceful march. The procession travelled from Porte d’Italie to Porte de Vincennes. Near the end of the march, some protesters erected makeshift barricades and threw objects at police.

Several masked youths reportedly smashed the windows of a car showroom. Police responded with baton charges, tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to restore order.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said several thousand radical activists had gathered toward the rear of the march. According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), approximately 500 people in the group were identified as individuals involved in rioting.

In the southern port city of Marseille, protesters erected makeshift road barricades and set them on fire. Rubbish bins were also reportedly set alight in several locations. A law enforcement vehicle was seen crossing a burning barricade.

In Bordeaux, some demonstrators attempted to block a road by removing wooden panels from a building. Meanwhile, police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd gathered in an area of Lyon.

Protesters said rising living costs, heavy tax burdens, poverty and what they described as harsh police conduct had intensified public anger.

Extensive Damage Reported After Previous Week’s Violence
More than 2,500 people were arrested across France following the violence associated with the previous week’s protests. During those disturbances, shops were vandalised and looted, while several buildings were set on fire.

According to figures from France’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 2,000 shops and businesses across the country were directly affected. The reported financial damage amounted to several billion euros.

AFP also reported that a protester lost a hand when a police grenade used for crowd control exploded. Around 1,000 police officers were also injured. As the situation deteriorated, authorities imposed nighttime curfews in Paris and several other cities.

Protests Spread to Other European Cities
Protests over the cost of living and political discontent also took place in several other European cities on Saturday.

In Tirana, the capital of Albania, riot police used tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters. Clashes were also reported in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

In Milan, northern Italy, police and hundreds of soldiers were deployed to prevent a recurrence of the previous week’s violence, which had involved shop vandalism, arson and looting.

France is expected to hold a presidential election within the next six months. The ongoing protests have added to political tensions ahead of the vote. Potential leading contenders have blamed President Emmanuel Macron and his government’s policies for the situation.