France continues to be hit by violent protests over the rising cost of living and education budget cuts on Saturday, with police arresting 1,200 demonstrators
and 150 personnel injured in clashes. Paris witnessed a record 855 detentions on the weekend, while a massive fire at the 143-year-old Limoges town hall was brought under control, France24 reported. Deputy Mayor of Paris, Lamia El Aaraje, said that the capital was hit by "a level of violence that I believe we had never seen before". Earlier, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told France 24 that 5,50,000 people took part in the protests against dwindling purchasing power, with 1,10,000 demonstrators in the capital. Police have arrested 400 protesters over vandalism charges, he said.
Town Hall fire contained
The looting added to a day of destruction and vandalism, with town halls in several cities targeted. The one in the city of Limoges -- more than 140 years old -- was largely destroyed by a blaze set by masked protesters who broke in, according to the region's top official.
Two others were broken into and vandalised in Marseille and Lille.
Citing a local media channel, France24 reported the massive fire at 143-year-old Limoges town hall has been contained.
Macron vows strict response
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed a firm response to violence amid the ongoing protests, driven primarily by students who, over the past few weeks, have engaged in violent demonstrations to denounce what they call “deplorable” school conditions and excessive police force.
In a post on X, Macron vowed strict action against the protestors who were involved in vandalism and looting, expressing solidarity against "sowers of chaos."
"No room for violence in our Republic. Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished. To the law enforcement forces, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so," he wrote.
French media also reported that former 'Yellow Vest' figures are set to join the protests in support of high-school students. 'Yellow Vest' movement began in 2018 in France, bringing thousands of people to the streets against rising fuel prices and economic inequality. The protests were met with rubber bullets fired by the police, injuring more than 2,500 protesters and 1,800 police personnel in the clashes.
(With agency inputs)
