France protests: Macron says ‘no place for violence’ as hundreds arrested in clashes
President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for ‘calm’ as police deploy tear gas and riot gear
Emmanuel Macron has said there is “no room for violence” after hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest France’s cost of living crisis on Saturday.
“Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” the French president said.
At least 1,200 people people were arrested including “extremely dangerous profiles”, prime minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Saturday according to Le Parisien. The government says around 550,000 protesters took part across the country, with organisers estimating the number at 800,000.
The interior ministry saying there had been violent incidents involving hooded individuals in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, with police firing tear gas at protesters who had climbed on monuments.
Protesters chanted about a repeat of the French Revolution, declaring: “It's the Revolution − we're taking the Bastille!" as they stormed the mayor’s offices in Marseille, according to Le Monde.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris' poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.