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.
Watch: Reporter Narrowly Dodges ‘Murder Attempt’ While Filming Outside ‘Taxpayer Funded Drug Dealing Operation’
‘Cornell 7’ Case Turns Political as Kathy Hochul Gets Involved with Executive Order
FBI overhauls tech backbone to counter AI threats from foreign adversaries, reduce response times, Patel says
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s partner, Ken Urker, found dead inside his Louisiana home: sheriff
Amazon expands Prime settlement payouts: Do you qualify?
Dems demanding Venezuela brief face State Department fury as senators leave town without answers
VA University in Legal Trouble After Trying to Take Control of Christian Student Groups but Ignoring Muslims
DOJ Considering Whether Prosecutor’s Office Committed Misconduct Against Nixon: Report
Obama judge halts Trump firing bid as decades-old legal authority tees up possible major reversal
Somali former aide to Minneapolis mayor sentenced in Feeding Our Future fraud case
Socialist streamer Hasan Piker faces fury after pressuring Talarico to enact far-left policy if elected
Pope Leo XIV says Vatican is renewing alliance with ‘artists and cultural institutions’ against AI
Leftists Melt Down as Rapper Eminem Partners with Kid Rock on New Christian Album
Hochul says she’s ‘deeply disturbed’ by handling of Cornell rape case
Trump campaign insider reveals strategy behind midterm blitz that White House hopes pays off big
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.
