French police are struggling to regain the upper hand against violent
Sylvie Corbet
December 1 2018 7:33 PM
French police are struggling to regain the upper hand against violent “yellow jacket” protesters in central Paris, resorting to water cannons to try to quell the demonstration.
The protesters who are angry over rising taxes and the high cost of living have sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe, torched at least one car, and broke through the metal fence of the Tuileries gardens.
Central Paris was locked down by Saturday, with all roads leading away from the Arc closed off as more police moved in.
Police said at least 224 people have been arrested and at least 80 people have been injured, including 16 officers.
French television showed police leading a shaken woman away from the protesters, and loud bangs rang out near the Champs Elysees where the violence was centred.
Protesters, including some wearing black hoodies, piled up large plywood planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe, before setting the debris on fire.
While police fired tear gas and used water cannon near the Arc, some demonstrators responded by throwing large rocks.
Others removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War, which sits under the Arc. They posted near its eternal flame and sung the national anthem until they were dispersed by police.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted her “indignation” and “deep sadness,” saying that violence is “not acceptable.”
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged the protesters to go home in a tweet.
French deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez said that 3,000 “troublemakers” were around the Champs-Elysees avenue, outside a perimeter secured by police.
