Violence erupts at French protests over cost of living

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Nearly 2,400 people were arrested as violence broke out during protests in France on Saturday over education and living costs.

Violence erupted during protests in France on Saturday initially sparked by discontent over education and the cost of living. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested and at least 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, the interior ministry reported. One protester died of cardiorespiratory arrest, and the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the death.

Loosely coordinated groups moved through Paris and other cities including Marseille, Lyon and Lille. The New York Post reports the violence was dominated by far-left adherents and second-generation immigrant youths who forced their way into the iconic BHV Marais department store and other businesses, raiding luxury shops. Police deployed tear gas and stun grenades as clashes erupted in areas including Châtelet-Les Halles and Place de la République. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the 'unbridled' violence.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he had instructed city prefects to impose 'very limited' and 'localized' curfews, with details to be released later Monday. He stressed that no one was killed on Saturday, calling it 'a miracle'. In Marseille, the prefect banned all protests and gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. local time Monday.

Meanwhile, US President Trump and Vice President Vance blamed immigration for the unrest, with Trump posting that 'the migrants have taken over France' and urging the country to 'close the borders'.

How it is being reported

• Trump and Kremlin both claim French riots caused by ‘mass immigration’ in similar statementsThe comments underline the extent to which the two leaders agree on many issuesIndependent World · 19 Oct, 13:15
• Trump urges France to ‘close the borders’ after weekend of rioting: ‘The migrants have taken over’The riots, initially attributed to discontent over the state of education and the high cost of living, have been dominated by far-left adherents and second-generation immigrant youths.New York Post · 19 Oct, 12:48
• Trump says 'France is burning', country 'shattered' by immigrationUS President Donald Trump on Sunday blamed immigration for unrest during protests in France and urged the country to tighten its migration rules. Washington bureau chief David Smith tells us more.France 24 · 18 Oct, 17:54
• Live: Vance blames immigration for violence during protests in FranceUS Vice President JD Vance blamed immigration for violence during protests in France on Saturday, sharing footage of a city hall on fire and warning Americans that congressional Democrats sought a similar future for the United States. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.France 24 · 18 Oct, 04:09

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Donald Trump · JD Vance · Sébastien Lecornu · France · Paris · Marseille

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem