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.
Russia begins air campaign targeting Ukrainian energy grid with barrage against Kyiv power plants
Passengers from Flydubai plane arrive in Israel on rescue flight
Trump DOJ investigating Dem group in Texas after viral undercover video sparks massive uproar
Police arrest former ‘violence interrupter’ from taxpayer-funded group for allegedly selling drugs
Explosive sleeper issue could fuel midterm shakeups, top Republican predicts: ‘You’re gonna see surprises’
Florida judge rips into mom accused of leaving 4 children at home to go on 3-day cruise
Ole Miss students’ toxicology reports completed, official says
Watch: Desperate Jake Tapper Begs Ambassador to Plead His Case to Trump and Let CNN Back Into Press Pool, Gets Rejected Live on Air
Police: Man ‘Intentionally’ Drove Into Closed Texas Grocery Store to Use the Restroom
Dem Rep Facing 17 Years in Prison for Assaulting ICE Agent Says She ‘Made the Decision to Get Pregnant’
Hijacking Attempt in Cockpit of Israel-Bound Plane Sends Fighter Jets Scrambling
US announces all forces withdrawn from Iraq after 12-year anti-ISIS mission
Senate hopeful’s ‘treading water’ narrative crumbles under $500K campaign payouts to family
Woke NFL Asks DHS to Remove Hall of Fame Defender from Clip of Agency Vowing to Stop Migrant Caravan
Inside the neighborhood living on the edge of America’s tech frontier
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.
