Clashes Erupt in Paris and Other Cities as Thousands Join Protests Across France
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday, with clashes erupting between protesters and police in cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. The protests, which were largely peaceful, were sparked by widespread discontent with the government and President Emmanuel Macron.
According to reports, police fired tear gas in several cities, including Lyon and Marseille, while in Bordeaux, protesters were seen ripping boards from a shop and forming barricades. However, the situation was largely calm, with many marches passing off without incident.
The protests follow last weekend's riots and looting, which saw over 2,700 people arrested. In response, the government imposed curfews, closures, and protest bans, although some demonstrations were permitted.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 135 people were arrested across the country, while police in Paris seized weapons and gas masks. The police also deployed an elite unit, BRI-PP, to intervene in the capital and surrounding areas.
The protests are part of a broader movement against the government and Macron, with many demonstrators expressing frustration with the country's economic and social issues. The protests come ahead of the country's presidential election in April and May 2027, with several candidates, including Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, vying for the top spot.
