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.
Vacation rental near Yosemite allegedly used to secretly record guests, 4,000 illegal files found
Scathing report claims nation’s oldest labor union ‘betrayed’ MAGA members through ‘shocking’ spending
Daughter of Air Canada flight attendant ejected from crash provides update, details mother’s injuries
New pro-AI group backed by Trump allies plans $100M midterm spending push
Canadian Leaders Terrified ICE Will Deport People… From Canada
CCP-Tied Activists in the Midwest Desperately Fight to Keep Chinese Land Grabs Alive Near US Bases
Jet fuel spikes as airlines warn supplies could run dry within weeks
TSA Done for? Ex-Obama DHS Chief Says Shutdown Woes Could ‘Break the Back’ of TSA
Sen Mazie Hirono trolled for admitting Trump not ‘a king,’ and ‘never has been’
Trump-Deranged James Carville Claims President Not ‘Tough Enough’ to Finish Term
Executed killer’s chilling claim about what she felt during pickax murders still haunts retired FBI agent
Paxton dominates CPAC as GOP frets over Texas Senate runoff
DHS shutdown putting Americans at risk as World Cup security prep ‘significantly behind’: Sen Fetterman
African nation calls for Ilhan Omar to be extradited after Vance’s fraud claim
Australian Police Identify Suspect in Deadly Case of Koala Tied to Car and Dragged Down Street
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.
