France Violence Erupts Over Cost Of Living Crisis

What started as peaceful demonstrations against the government over rising cost of living have now snowballed into violent clashes between police and protesters in many cities of France on Saturday, causing massive breakdown of law and order and huge damage of public infrastructure and properties.

Nearly 8 lakh people took to the streets in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other cities in France to show their anger over expensive daily needs, low pay, and hard economic conditions. Even though most of them were just marching normally, small groups of violent miscreants and masked rioters joined the movement to cause utter chaos.

As school students and Labour unions also joined the protests following a call for Yellow Vest movement on social media platforms, the situation turned violent as some of these groups resorted to stone pelting and fire setting across the streets of all major cities.

Luxury shops and big supermarkets were looted by groups of people stealing whatever they could carry. Public buildings were also heavily targeted during the rampage.

In Limoges, an iconic 143 year old town hall was set on fire with parts of its roof crashing down, while city halls in other places like Marseille were broken into pieces. The police had a very hard time dealing with the crowds, using lots of tear gas and water cannons to push back the rioters.

So far 1200 protesters were detained across the country. Several cops and citizens got hurt in the street battles and hundreds of people have been locked up behind bars.

President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the widespread violence and destruction of public properties. He promised that anyone caught looting, burning, or attacking police officers will face strict punishment and prosecution.