French protests descend into violence as Macron faces criticism

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Violent protests across France led to nearly 1,800 arrests and hundreds of injured emergency personnel.

Demonstrations across France escalated into violence on Saturday, with shops looted and public buildings vandalised or set alight in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon and other cities. French authorities said nearly 1,800 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, and one protester died after suffering cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris. A deliberately set fire at Limoges city hall caused significant damage to the historic building.

The protests centred on rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services. Authorities estimated more than 550,000 people participated across France, though organisers put the figure at roughly 800,000.

President Emmanuel Macron came under criticism for attending a Celine Dion concert at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris, on Friday night as the unrest developed. The concert featured roughly 35,000 spectators. On Friday, during a news conference in Brussels where he had been attending a European Council meeting, Macron called for 'calm and respect' ahead of Saturday's planned demonstrations. In an official address after the violence, Macron warned that 'those who looted will have to pay for the damage'.

How it is being reported

• France protests: Who are the people arrested during the unrest?At least 2,400 people were arrested in France during protests over the weekend, some simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, others on suspicion of theft and looting. In an official address, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that “those who looted will have to pay for the damage”. But who exactly are these rioters?France 24 · 19 Oct, 16:36
• Where's Macron? French leader blasted for attending concert as riots escalatedViolent protests across France led to nearly 1,800 arrests as President Emmanuel Macron faced questions over his response and prepared to address the nation.Fox News · 18 Oct, 17:10

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · France · Paris · Celine Dion · Marseille · Bordeaux · Limoges

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