Protests in France over the poor state of schools and rising living costs are continuing intensely. Yesterday, following these protests, over 1,200 demonstrators were arrested, and various cities in the country witnessed severe clashes between police and protesters.
Clashes and Use of Tear Gas
Police resorted to violence and also used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Images of burning government buildings were shared on social media, and the government described these developments as a "escalation of violence."
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Reports indicate that at least 550,000 people have taken to the streets in various cities across France. In Paris, clashes continued into the late hours of the night, and a group of young people declared that they are "peaceful" and "only want things to change," but it seems that the situation has escalated towards violence.
Fires and Financial Damages
In the city of Limoges, the town hall was set on fire and collapsed. It has also been reported that some protesters stormed municipal buildings and businesses. Police announced that protesters have looted stores in several cities. Sébastien Lecornu, the Prime Minister of France, stated that 150 police officers have been injured in these unrests.
In the city of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, the mayor, called the burning of the city's tourism office a "disaster" and stated that this building is historic and symbolic. Additionally, Régis Juanico, the mayor of Saint-Étienne, reported the amputation of a young man's hand due to the explosion of a small explosive device and described the incident as an "unacceptable disaster."
In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of students have taken to the streets to protest the lack of teachers and the dilapidation of school facilities. Members of labor unions and other groups have also joined these protests, and the "Yellow Vests," known for the protests of 2018, have re-emerged on the scene.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, in recent protests, "masked individuals" in some areas have engaged in "targeted violent actions." Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, will step down from power next year, and polls indicate that the presidential election may turn into a close competition between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
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