The police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon at crowds trying to breach security cordons in Paris ahead of a third rally against high fuel prices.
PARIS — For a third weekend, French riot police clashed with “yellow vest” protesters in the heart of Paris, posing one of the largest and most sustained challenges Emmanuel Macron has faced in his 18-month-old presidency.
The police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon on Saturday at crowds trying to breach security cordons on the Champs-Élysées ahead of a third rally against high fuel prices.
The authorities said 24 people had been arrested amid concerns that violent far-right and far-left groups were infiltrating the “yellow vests” movement, a spontaneous, apparently leaderless grass-roots rebellion against diesel tax increases and the high cost of living.
“We’re worried that small groups of rioters that aren’t yellow vests will infiltrate to fight security forces and challenge the authority of the state,” said Denis Jacob, secretary general of the Alternative Police union.
“Given the high level of security around the Champs, the fear is thugs will go to other places.”
For two weeks, the “gilets jaunes” or yellow vests, who take their name from the high-visibility jackets all drivers in France must carry in their vehicles, have blocked roads in protests across France.
