'No room for violence,' says Macron after rioters and looters hijack peaceful demonstrations across France
Macron pledged to capture all those who incited chaos and hold them to account for the crimes they’ve committed. Prime Minister Lecornu meanwhile stressed that limited public funds cannot endlessly go towards funding the damage the vandals cause.
Macron denounced violence as half a million people protested in France, with one protester losing his hand and looters targeting shops. The unrest follows weeks of student protests and will impact upcoming presidential elections. Macron emphasized the importance of law and order, stating that those who attacked businesses and public buildings will face prosecution.
Prime Minister Lecornu condemned the "ultraleft groups" responsible for the chaos and assured support for law enforcement. Police clashed with demonstrators, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Over 500,000 people participated in the marches, with around 400 arrests made. Fires broke out across France, including in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, and Limoges, where a hand was blown off by a police grenade. The CGT union claimed 800,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
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