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.
House Republican Considering Plan to Expel Ilhan Omar from Congress
Bombshell Claim: Brown University Was Asked to Cut Cameras Earlier in the Year to Protect Palestinian Activists
As illicit vapes flood the country, authorities ramp up enforcement
Graham leads bipartisan demand for tech reform vote to ‘bring social media companies to heel’
Schumer accuses Trump admin of Epstein files ‘cover-up’ amid document dispute
Trump Admin Immediately Halts Visa Program That Allowed Brown and MIT Suspect Into the Country
Democrats’ last-minute move to block GOP funding plan sends lawmakers home early
Virginia Court Ignores ICE Detainer, Releases Illegal Alien Accused of Murder Hours Later
Judge tosses Trump-linked lawsuit targeting Chief Justice Roberts, dealing setback to Trump allies
Extremely Strange 25-Year-Old Connection Uncovered Between Dead Brown Shooting Suspect from Portugal and Murdered MIT Professor for Portugal
Sports reporter’s 3-year-old opened door for grandpa who then found couple dead in home: report
Suspect in Brown shooting, MIT murder found dead and more top headlines
Video: Brown Univ. President Drops Astonishing Claim on Missing Cameras That Absolutely No One Believes
Noem announces pause on immigrant visa lottery that allowed alleged Brown shooter to enter US
These members of Congress will leave their jobs (mostly) voluntarily
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.
