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.
Trump supporters confronted with painful gas prices deliver striking response: ‘I’ll take that any day’
Mamdani-Linked Democratic Congressional Nominee Detained by IDF While in West Bank
Cuban American lawmakers hail Raúl Castro arrest warrant, vow to keep fighting for Cuba’s freedom
Man Who Claimed His Wife Was Taken by ICE Arrested on Murder Charge After Human Remains Found
GOP launches ‘Jihad Jeopardy’ game to highlight Abdul el Sayed’s controversies
DOJ accuses fraud ring of facilitating hundreds of sham marriages for illegal immigrants
Polling’s dirty little secret
Macron slams Trump for ‘stupid’ comments about French riots and warns public of ‘foreign manipulation’
Ilhan Omar finally emerges after DC raid with video pleading for cash to fight Trump
Ilhan Omar, Missing Since Her Home Was Raided, Emerges to Beg for Money on TikTok
Veteran, 81, Shot Dead While Driving Mobility Scooter at Georgia Walmart, Police Make Arrest
Secret sex video rocks University of North Carolina at Charlotte fraternity, 1 arrested: Police
Slain New Jersey mom’s autopsy report released months after stabbing death at home: report
Thune makes bold prediction about Republicans’ Senate chances as GOP pulls millions from key races
Australian politician struck by car in violent attack loses both legs
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.
