Paris protests: Police deploy water cannon as gilets jaunes activists burn trees in French capital
More than 1,000 people were arrested across France as security forces deployed tear gas and water cannon to tackle anti-government protests.
Rioters hurled missiles, torched cars and trees and vandalised shops and restaurants as the ‘gilets jaunes’ staged their fourth weekend of demonstrations.
The violence also spread to Amsterdam and Brussels, where a crowd attempted to reach the European Union headquarters and other official buildings.
In Paris an estimated 10,000 people marched up a Champs-Elysees decked out in pink Christmas lights and police charged protesters on horseback. A total of 620 people were arrested in the French capital alone.
Rioting also broke out in Marseilles, Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse, although the nationwide demonstrations were generally much more peaceful than a week ago.
As darkness fell, interior minister Christophe Castaner announced that the violence was “under control” but condemned it as “totally unacceptable”.
He said 135 people, including 17 police officers, were injured across the country and vowed that the security forces would remain vigilant overnight as there were reports of groups of youths looting shops.
The “yellow vests” movement – a reference to the fluorescent safety outfit French motorists keep in their cars – began on 17 November as a backlash to a rise in fuel taxes.
They have since come to encompass general anger and disillusionment with President Emmanuel Macron’s government and high living costs. Four people have died during the protests so far.
Amid warnings that far-right, anarchist and anti-capitalist groups would try to hijack the demonstrations, nearly 90,000 police and other security personnel were deployed across the country from 4am on Saturday.
Shops, restaurants and cafes were boarded up and shuttered while tourist destinations such as The Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the Paris Opera were also closed.
Police officers are seizing protective equipment from journalists and barring some protesters from boarding trains to Paris, as part of security measures designed to prevent rioting.
Officers positioned at train stations around France are under orders to verify all passengers and turn away equipment that could be used to "cause damage to people or property", a national police spokesperson said.
Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, has said that authorities will do everything possible to avoid further violence.
"We will do all we can so that today can be a day without violence, so that the dialogue that we started this week can continue in the best possible circumstances," he said on national television.
Last weekend saw the worst riot in decades in Paris. with over 400 people arrested.
Sandine, mother of six, who lives on the outskirts of Paris, tells me she’s here because “France is going downhill”. She feels there is little hope for her children’s future. She voted for Macron in the election but now regrets her choice. “He is part of the rich,” she says https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dt5JSLNWsAAEbbc.jpg
A stand-off has ensued between protesters and the police, who have blocked off the route to the Champs Elysées where people were heading. Tear gas has been fired. I’ve now removed myself from this area
