French police arrest 1,800 after violent clashes and looting mar protests
PARIS — Police arrested at least 1,800 people across France after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands of people who denounced rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Authorities said masked groups on Saturday set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities. In Limoges, a…
PARIS — French authorities arrested a staggering 1,800 individuals following violent clashes and widespread looting during nationwide protests. These demonstrations, which saw hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets, were predominantly driven by grievances over rising living expenses and deteriorating school conditions.
Authorities reported that masked groups in several cities set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls. In Limoges, central France, flames engulfed the historic 19th-century City Hall, leading to the collapse of its roof. Maurice Barate, the Haute-Vienne prefect, confirmed to LCI television that the fire was intentionally set and had nearly destroyed the building.
The fire was under control by Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron is set to convene an emergency meeting with key government officials on Sunday afternoon, followed by a national address at 8 p.m., according to his office. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez emphasized on X that while the right to protest is a fundamental right, deliberately sowing chaos through violence is not acceptable.
He highlighted the looting of hundreds of businesses in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, and St.
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