Emmanuel Macron has asked for an evaluation of security measures after a Paris demonstration against increased taxes and living costs turned into France’s worst urban riot in a decade.
December 2 2018 9:46 PM
Emmanuel Macron has asked for an evaluation of security measures after a Paris demonstration against increased taxes and living costs turned into France’s worst urban riot in a decade.
Hours after he flew back to the French capital from the G20 summit in Argentina, the president held an emergency meeting at the Elysee palace while crews worked to remove burned-out cars, broken glass and graffiti from the Champs-Elysees and other sites.
Paris police said 133 people were injured, including 23 police officers, as crowds trashed the streets of the capital on Saturday.
Officers fired tear gas and used water cannon to tackle the violence as protesters torched cars, smashed windows, looted stores and tagged the Arc de Triomphe with spray paint.
Paris police prefect Michel Delpuech said some officers described encountering “unprecedented” violence, including protesters using hammers, gardening tools, bolts, aerosol cans and rocks.
Some radical far-right and far-left activists were involved in the riot, as well as a “great number” of protesters wearing yellow jackets, Mr Delpuech said. The fluorescent jackets, which French motorists are required to have in their cars for emergencies, are an emblem of a grassroots citizens’ movement protesting against fuel taxes.
Fires were started at six buildings and more than 130 makeshift barricades and 112 vehicles were torched, Mr Delpuech said.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said 378 people remained in police custody as of Sunday evening, 33 of them minors.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Macron visited the Arc de Triomphe, which had damaged statues as well as graffiti.
