Clashes erupt as French 'yellow vest' protests revive

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Tens of thousands of protesters took to French streets in violent demonstrations over living costs and teacher shortages.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to French streets in some of the country's most violent protests in years, reviving the 'yellow vest' movement over living standards, rising costs and teacher shortages. Police arrested 272 people by mid-afternoon after violent incidents involving hooded individuals in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse, Angers and Lyon. The interior ministry said such actions included attempted looting, confrontations with law enforcement, the setting of fires to street furniture and targeting of seats of power and media outlets. In Lyon, protesters set ablaze a tourist office, and in Marseille the town hall was vandalised.

The protests began last month at high schools in Paris' poor northern suburbs over teacher shortages and shabby facilities, evolving into a broader movement focused on inequality, public spending and living standards. A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from authorised demonstration routes. Protesters in high-visibility vests blocked streets, recalling the Yellow Vest movement of President Emmanuel Macron's previous term.

Lola, a 19-year-old protester in Paris, said: 'We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions.' The interior ministry blamed the unrest on what it described as the 'ultra-left'. The mayor of Marseille said additional police were being sent to the city following talks with the prime minister and interior minister.

How it is being reported

• Clashes erupt on French streets, 'yellow vests' returnProtesters across France have responded to calls to revive the "yellow vest" movement as demonstrators rally over living standards and teacher shortages.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 15:27
• Clashes erupt on French streets, 'yellow vests' returnProtesters across France have responded to calls to revive the "yellow vest" movement as demonstrators rally over living standards and teacher shortages.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 15:27

In this story: France · Paris · Marseille · Emmanuel Macron · Lola · Lyon · Rennes · Toulouse

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