New ‘yellow vest’ protests hit Paris

“The weather is crap and so is this government,” a handful of protesters chanted as light rain began to fall.

It turned to downpours by mid-evening, scattering many of the remaining demonstrators.

The outbreaks of violence were on a smaller scale than the destruction and looting of a week earlier, when some 200 cars were torched in the worst rioting in Paris in decades.

The government had vowed “zero tolerance” for anarchist, far-right or other troublemakers seeking to wreak further havoc at protests that have sparked the deepest crisis of Macron’s presidency.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe congratulated police for the operation, and promised Macron would address the protesters’ concerns.

“The dialogue has begun and it must continue,” Philippe said. “The president will speak, and will propose measures that will feed this dialogue.”

Police reinforcements were boosted to 8,000 across the city, with armoured vehicles deployed in Paris for the first time.

More than 650 protesters were detained in the capital, many of them stopped as they arrived at train stations or meeting points carrying hammers, petanque balls and other potential missiles.

Shops along the ChampsElysees and central department stores stayed shut with their windows boarded up to avoid looting.

The Eiffel Tower, major museums and many metro stations were also closed as parts of Paris went on effective lockdown.

“I have two children. I’m fighting for them and just to be able to live a decent life,” said Tony Vella, a 32-year-old builder from the Paris suburbs.

Officials estimated that a total 125,000 “yellow vests” turned out nationwide throughout the day, down from 136,000 last week.

In Paris, health authorities said 126 people had been admitted to hospital, mostly with minor injuries.

Among the police, 17 were hurt, Castaner said.

The movement has spread beyond France’s borders, with around 400 arrested at a “yellow vest” protest in Brussels yesterday and peaceful demonstrations taking place in Dutch towns.

People began blockading French roads on November 17 over rising fuel prices — partly due to taxes aimed at helping the country transition to a lower-carbon economy.

But the demonstrations have since swollen into a broad movement against ex-banker Macron, whom the protesters accuse of favouring the rich.

Nationwide, 89,000 police officers were on duty in towns, cities and on numerous motorways which caused havoc on France’s road network, including a blockade of a border crossing with Spain.

Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner