PARIS BURNS
A TRUCK is engulfed by flames on one of the most recognisable streets in the world as masked protesters clash with police.
And when the violence finally abated and the fog of teargas lifted yesterday, the Champs-Elysees in Paris resembled a battlefield.
A second weekend of demonstrations began with a peaceful protest against rising fuel prices but was soon hijacked by a hard-core bent on rioting against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe.
Water cannon sent many demonstrators scattering. Elsewhere others called on French President Emmanuel Macron to resign.
Around 5,000 people had converged on the avenue, which was carpeted with rocks and missiles. At least 18 people were arrested.
Organisers of the ‘yellow jacket’ movement billed the latest protests as ‘act two’ in their rolling campaign. Named after their distinctive highvisibility vests, the protesters oppose an increase in fuel duty on diesel.
‘They’re breaking up traffic obstacles to create missiles to throw at us. It’s getting very violent,’ said a police officer at the scene. French ministers claimed both far-Right and hardLeft elements hijacked the protests.
Two road deaths have been linked with the violence in the past week – both at illegal road blocks. There have also been 553 injuries, while more than 95 police officers have been hurt in disturbances, including during an attempt to storm the Elysee Palace last weekend.
The Champ de Mars – the field next to the Eiffel Tower – had been set aside by the Paris authorities for the demonstration yesterday, but it was ignored by protesters.
‘We’re not here to do what officials tell us,’ said Max Lefevre, a 22-yearold student. ‘We’re here to oppose a government that is completely out of touch with the lives of ordinary people. This is a people’s revolt.’
Mr Macron has insisted that fuel prices have to rise in line with green initiatives made necessary by the Paris Climate Change agreement.