A night of hell across major French cities saw massive anti-government protests intensifying, as violence and vandalism spread in many cities, with almost a million people protesting rising prices, dwindling funding for better education and demanding more effective public services, mired in corruption and decades of inept officials.
According to organisers and unions, 800 thousand people faced off with police last night, with the French interior ministry downgrading that number to around half a million.
In Paris, clashes lasted for several hours, as special forces used tear gas and water cannons to break down the core of the marches, with protesters attempting to break through cordons and reach the Presidential Palace and several ministry buildings.
In Limoge, a fire from a molotov coctail caused extensive damage to the historic 19th century municipality building, while in Marseilles, a number of people stormed the municipal palace and wrote anti-government slogans. Dozens of shops were looted in many cities.
In Lyon, a travel agency was torched and many shops suffered extensive damage, while in Lille, the municipal palace was also attacked.
The most serious incident occured in Saint Etienne, when a 17 year old lost his arm after he attempted to catch a stun grenade that was thrown by security forces.
According to French PM Sebastian Lekorny, 150 police officers were injured during the massive protests, including two critical.
More than 1200 people were arrested, mostly in Paris, including a number of minors, pupils of local luceyms.
Protesters included members of the ‘Yellow Vest’ movement.
Almost a thousand members of security forces have been injured in several weeks of violence across the country.
REUTERS
