France Protests Trigger 166 Arrests as Fires and Clashes Hit Paris, Lyon and Marseille
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 17
France Protests Trigger 166 Arrests as Fires and Clashes Hit Paris, Lyon and Marseille
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 17
Summary
At least 166 people were arrested nationwide as violent fringes of anti-cost-of-living protests set fires and clashed with police in Paris, Lyon and Marseille.
140 protest actions outside the Paris region had drawn more than 30,000 people by midday, with police citing masked groups in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
In Paris, officers used tear gas and water cannons around Place de la République after hooded protesters threw fireworks and other objects, while many peaceful marchers continued toward northwestern districts.
The demonstrations fused revived Yellow Vest calls, student anger over school conditions and police tactics, and union demands for higher wages, pensions and lower prices.
Macron appealed for calm as authorities closed central Paris metro stations and banned some gatherings, with weeks of unrest already producing thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries and burned schools.