More than 1,200 arrested as French protests over schools and living costs turn violent
Buildings were set on fire and shops looted in several cities during Saturday's demonstrations, according to the BBC.
At least 1,200 people were arrested in France on Saturday as demonstrations against hardship in schools and the cost of living turned violent in several cities, according to the BBC.
The French government described an "escalation in violence" during protests that drew an estimated 550,000 people, the BBC reported. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured.
In Paris, the main march appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon. Later in the day, some groups lit fires in the street and set vehicles alight, including at the Place de la République. Riot police used tear gas and water cannon, and the BBC reported that officers were seen charging at one crowd and hitting several people with batons.
Outside the capital, a large fire at Limoges town hall caused part of the roof to collapse. In Lyon, the city's tourist office burned. Mayor Grégory Doucet told BFMTV that this was "a tragedy" for the city, the BBC reported. In Saint-Étienne, Mayor Régis Juanico said on social media that a young man "had his hand blown off by a grenade". Looting was reported in several cities, and an Apple store in Lille was broken into and emptied.
The interior ministry said there were "targeted acts of violence" from "hooded individuals" in places including parts of Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
The unrest grew out of weeks of student protests. According to the BBC, hundreds of thousands of students have protested over staff shortages and run-down facilities in lycées, the secondary schools attended by 15 to 18-year-olds. On Saturday they were joined by trade union members and other groups, including the gilets jaunes, or yellow vest, movement.
The violence comes as France heads into a period of deep political uncertainty. President Emmanuel Macron leaves office next year. The BBC said polls suggest April's presidential election could come down to Marine Le Pen of the National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise.
Mélenchon took part in demonstrations and accused police of "unleashing" on protesters, while condemning looting and arson. Lecornu called his comments "dangerous and cynical" and said some groups were using the protests as a "warm-up" for the election. Le Pen accused Mélenchon of fuelling the violence.
“Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished.”Emmanuel Macron, President of France
Several questions remain open. The report does not say how many of those arrested will face charges, who threw the grenade in Saint-Étienne, or how much the damage will cost. Education Minister Édouard Geffray promised 3,000 extra supply teachers on 8 October, but the protests have continued and intensified. The report does not say whether the government plans any further concessions.
