French Protests Over Living Costs Turn Violent as 565 Are Arrested
French police arrested 565 people nationwide on Saturday, 31 October, as the third weekend of France cost of living protests turned violent, the interior ministry said. Authorities put turnout at about 320,000 people across the country, including 70,000 in Paris. Youth organisations gave far higher figures, nearly half a million nationwide and 200,000 in Paris.
The movement brings together Yellow Vest activists, trade unions, and high school and university students. They are protesting over rising living costs and inequality. After a security crackdown left some demonstrators seriously hurt, they added demands for civil liberties and the right to protest. Some marchers wore Halloween costumes.
Clashes during the France cost of living protests broke out as masked groups dressed in black fought with police. Paris police said several hundred rioters attacked officers with projectiles, and police responded with tear gas, water cannon and baton charges. Four police officers and one gendarme were injured in Paris, three of them burned by Molotov cocktails. Police also used tear gas in Lyon and water cannon in Toulouse.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blamed far-left extremist groups for the violence and called the firebomb attack on a riot officer attempted murder. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said those responsible must face the utmost severity of the law, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed joined the Paris march and praised the turnout. Curfews from 11pm to 6am were imposed on Saturday and Sunday around the République and Châtelet-Les Halles areas of Paris.
The unrest comes less than six months before a presidential election in which Le Pen leads opinion polls, and with the economy close to recession, which limits the government’s room to spend its way out of the protesters’ demands. Students plan more blockades, and unions have called a demonstration for 5 November. The government now faces pressure to calm the France cost of living protests without a repeat of Saturday’s violence.
Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)