Fewer protesters at latest rally in Paris
115 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
POLICE used tear gas on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on the fifth straight weekend of protests by France’s “yellow vest” movement.
The demonstrations against France’s high cost of living – hit by cold weather, rain and recent concessions by French President Emmanuel Macron – were significantly smaller than at previous rallies, some of which scarred parts of Paris with vandalism and looting.
French law enforcement was out in force. About 8,000 police and 14 armoured vehicles were deployed in Paris.
Police said 115 people were taken into custody in Paris.
A few thousand people marched up and down the famed shopping street in Paris, a spirited yet peaceful gathering that sunk into violence.
Riot police clashed with demonstrators as the occasional tourist darted from their hotel or a brave Christmas shopper took a peek at the neighbourhood’s mostly boarded-up storefronts.
Firefighters put out a blaze on a side street leading to the ChampsElysees and limited scuffles broke out between protesters and police.
Protesters made it clear that they wanted to keep up the pressure, even if their numbers were far smaller than in previous weeks, which saw rioters smashing and looting stores and setting up burning barricades in the streets.