Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across France to vent anger against rising fuel
Thomas Adamson
November 24 2018 2:20 PM
Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across France to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron’s presidency.
Thousands of police were deployed nationwide to contain the demonstrations, including a tense protest at the foot of the Champs-Elysees where protesters wielded placards reading “Death to Taxes” and upturned a large vehicle.
No-one was injured in the clashes, but six were arrested for “throwing projectiles”,Paris Police told the Associated Press.
“It’s going to trigger a civil war and me, like most other citizens, we’re all ready,” said Benjamin Vrignaud, a 21-year-old protester from Chartres.
The famous avenue was dotted from early morning with neon – owing to the hi-vis vests the myriad self-styled “yellow jacket” protesters wear. French drivers are required to keep neon security vests in their vehicles.
Five thousand protesters flooded the Champs-Elysees alone, with 23,000 protesters in total nationwide, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
In a week of demonstrations that has dominated national news coverage, hundreds have been injured and two people died in accidents stemming from the protests.
