Paris riots: No cause justifies looting of stores, says Macron
Police and anti-government protesters clashed near the ChampsElysees and in other parts of central Paris on Saturday with demonstrators hurling rocks and paint at riot police who responded with tear gas.
The clashes came as thousands took part in a third weekend of “yellow vest” protests which have morphed from anger over fuel taxes into a broader anti-government movement.
Crowds of protesters gathering at the Arc de Triomphe earlier found the Champs-Elysees locked down with police manning barricades and water cannon.
Addressing a news conference in Buenos Aires, President Emmanuel Macron said no cause justified the looting of stores, attacks on the security forces or torching of property. The violence, he said, had nothing to do with the peaceful expression of legitimate grievances.
“I will always respect differences. I will always listen to opposition, but I will never accept violence,” the president said.
While several dozen were allowed through after an ID check and search, many others — some wearing gas masks or ski goggles — remained behind and fought with police who fired rounds of tear gas.
Authorities said more than 200 people had been arrested by the afternoon and 80 people injured, including eleven of the 5,000 police officers mobilized for the protests.
An estimated 75,000 demonstrators were counted across the country as of 3 p.m. (1400 GMT), the Interior Ministry said, which for the most part remained calm.