Paris:France Yellow Vest protesters, high school students, and farmers gathered for demonstrations across France on Saturday, opposing rising living costs. Nationwide, at least 272 people were arrested as clashes occurred in several cities.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, police estimated crowds of around 20,000 in Lyon and Nantes, and 10,000 in Rennes. In Paris, authorities reported 163 arrests. The protests united former Yellow Vest members, students, climate activists, and trade unionists with high school students and farmers.
The Yellow Vest movement, which began in 2018, initially focused on fuel taxes and living costs. On Saturday, around 500 actions and more than 90 demonstrations were planned across the country.
In Paris, authorities used tear gas and water cannons in response to disturbances near Place de la Republique, where a vehicle was set on fire. The main march commenced at 2.30 pm, with participants eventually reaching Place de Clichy despite earlier conflicts.
In Lyon, masked individuals damaged property at the tourist office on Place Bellecour, leading to reports of looting and fire. Protesters also launched fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas.
In Marseille, protesters briefly entered city hall, damaging property, including televisions and a bust of Marianne. No injuries were reported, but Mayor Benoit Payan condemned the actions. Additional riot police were deployed to Marseille, where a municipal police station was attacked with broken windows and smoke devices.
In Nice, masked groups targeted businesses and police near Avenue Jean Medecin and the railway station.
These nationwide demonstrations follow weeks of student protests demanding better education funding and study conditions. High school organization Renouveau lyceen has called for urgent discussions on the Parcoursup university admissions platform and a $1.6 billion plan for school improvements.
Prominent politicians, including Jean-Luc Melenchon and Marine Tondelier, criticized the policing strategy, accusing authorities of exacerbating tensions. Demonstrations were banned around key Parisian locations, such as the Elysee Palace and the Champs-Elysees. President Emmanuel Macron urged for calm and respect for people and property during the protests.