Paris police in new battles with protesters and looters
French police battled protesters and looters for a second day Sunday as the country reeled from the violent chaos left by a day of cost-of-living demonstrations in which 2,000 people were arrested nationwide. Paris city workers had not finished clearing up the torched cars, smashed shopfronts and burnt debris from Saturday’s unrest when the new troubles started and political recriminations…
French police clashed with protesters and looters for a second consecutive day on Sunday as the nation grappled with the aftermath of a day of cost-of-living demonstrations that left 2,000 people arrested nationwide. Paris city workers had not yet finished clearing the debris from Saturday's unrest when fresh trouble erupted, sparking political recriminations.
Protests against the high cost of living drew hundreds of people to Paris' Place de la Republique, according to Agence France-Presse journalists. Television footage showed looters setting ablaze a clothing shop and bikes, while police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, making several arrests. Despite around 550 out of 855 arrests in Paris remaining in detention from Saturday's events, police stations were struggling to accommodate the influx.
With the presidential election just six months away, President Emmanuel Macron vowed that anyone engaging in vandalism or looting would face prosecution, but the government faced opposition over its preparations for the nationwide day of action. Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidate, accused Macron's administration of being "exhausted and disoriented," while Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the far-left France Unbowed party, blamed authorities for inflaming the tensions. US President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, blaming immigration for the unrest.
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