French yellow vest protesters march again
PARIS (AP) — Thousands of French yellow vest protesters marched through Paris on Saturday for a ninth-straight weekend as others took to the streets in the central city of Bourges to denounce President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies amid high security measures as authorities feared more violence.
Protesters walked through central Paris from the Finance Ministry in the east to the surroundings of the Arc de Triomphe in the west.
Some scuffles broke out between police and protesters near the monument. Security forces used tear gas to push back some protesters who were throwing rocks and other objects at them.
Police established a car ban on the nearby Champselysees avenue.
Paris police say 40 people were arrested Saturday before and during the protests, primarily for carrying potential weapons.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 yellow vest protesters, according to local authorities were marching in Bourges, a provincial capital with a renowned Gothic cathedral and picturesque woodframed houses. Online groups mounted calls over the past week for actions in the town because of its location in the centre of France.
Authorities deployed 80,000 security forces nationwide for the anti-government protests. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner threatened tough retaliation against rioters and their backers, warning of increasing radicalisation among the largely peaceful demonstrators.
The movement waned over the holidays but appears to be resurging, despite Macron’s promises of billions of euros in tax relief and an upcoming “national debate” to address demonstrators’ concerns. Protesters want deeper changes to France’s economy and politics, seen as favoring the rich.
Paris police said they wouldn’t let down their guard, and deployed armored vehicles, horses and attack dogs around the city. Subway stations and some shops closed, notably around government buildings and the Champs-elysees, the sparkling avenue whose luxury boutiques have been hit by repeated rioting in past protests.
Paris police said in a statement they made several arrests before Saturday’s actions, notably in France’s historic Gypsy or traveler community, which has called for protests in support of a boxer caught on video punching police last weekend in central Paris.