Paris police used tear gas Saturday to disperse anti-government demonstrators who are trying to revive the yellow vest movement in protest at perceived economic injustice and French President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
The French capital was placed under high security as a few hundred anti-government protesters started marching in the Paris streets.
Police in riot gear were moving quickly to disperse small crowds of protesters, using tear gas on and around the Champs-Elysees avenue, Saint-Lazare train station and Madeleine plaza – areas where protests have been banned this weekend.
Most demonstrators didn’t wear the fluorescent vests that gave the movement its name.
Paris police said at least 106 people were arrested and 1,249 security checks took place. Over 100 people received 135-euro ($149) fines for demonstrating in a banned area.
Paris police said no damage was registered by midday.
Authorities have deployed more than 7,000 officers and banned protests in a large central area including the presidential palace, government and parliament buildings, the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Several calls for demonstrations have been issued in the French capital by yellow vest supporters, environmental activists and a far-left workers union.
Two Suspects Arrested After Famous Musician and His Family Are Murdered in Mexico
Mullin asks DOJ to review voter data sharing tied to Zuckerberg-funded nonprofit group
Trump lawyers target what Letitia James won’t say about evidence in $450M case
Country Star John Rich Says Jelly Roll Knew Exactly What He Was Doing, And He Will Now Pay the Price
ICE officer pleads not guilty to lying about Minneapolis shooting involving Venezuelan man
Illinois mother charged with murder in death of 2-year-old son in case drawing comparions to Lindsay Clancy
Michael Cohen, Star Witness in Trump’s NY Conviction, Reportedly Recants Testimony: ‘He Was Pressured and Coerced’
‘Fiesta Mexicana’: El-Sayed campaign plans festive 9/11 while remembrance is missing from public schedule
The Right to a Jury of Our Peers Assumes We Still Live Among People Capable of Sound Judgment, Which We Don’t
Non-citizen police officers approved after Dem says ICE ‘invasion’ ‘sends a message’
Pelosi, Omar join Trump and Schiff as unlikely alliance pushes to onshore key industry
California congresswoman did not disclose money her husband received from nonprofit
Air traffic controllers turn on FAA chief as tensions boil over
43-Year-Old College Freshman with Extensive Criminal Past Arrested for Alleged Dorm Sexual Assault
Alabama Police Department Calls Out Local Seniors for Weak Attempt at a Senior Prank: ‘That’s It?’
France’s annual heritage weekend, a very popular event with many cultural sites open to the public, is also taking place.
Parisians and tourists were queuing to visit landmark and government buildings, including the presidential palace and Macron’s office. The public could only access the Elysee after having pre-registered and passing security checks.
Some other monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe that suffered damage during a yellow vest protest last December, will remain closed to the public so the busy police don’t have to deal with it.
The yellow vest movement that emerged 10 months ago petered out this summer, after weekly protests that led to often-violent clashes with police in Paris and other cities.
Macron made multiple concessions to the movement, including a 10-billion euro package of measures to boost purchasing power. But anger is now mounting again over his plans to overhaul France’s costly, convoluted pension system.
Climate activists are demonstrating Saturday afternoon in Paris to demand more action from the government and companies to reduce emissions and save the burning Amazon rainforest and the melting Arctic.
The hard-left Workers Force union is also holding a separate march against the retirement reform, amid concerns it will require people to work longer and reduce pensions.
Story cited here.
