October 17 French protests: Crowds marched through the streets before violence, looting and chaos broke out
On Saturday, 800,000 people took to the streets according to organizers, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez put the number at 550,000. The same pattern played out in many cities: On one side, a crowd of peaceful protesters; on the other, independent groups determined to clash with the police.
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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