Ninth weekend of ‘yellow vest’ protests

FRENCH police used tear gas and water cannon as thousands of yellow vest protesters marched through Paris and other cities for a ninth weekend to denounce president Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies.

Sporadic violence broke out during protests in Paris, Bourges, Bordeaux, Rouen, Marseille and Toulouse.

Protesters walked peacefully through central Paris from the Finance Ministry in the east of the French capital to the Arc de Triomphe in the west.

Scuffles between police and activists then broke out near the end of the march. Police used tear gas and water cannon to push back some people throwing rocks and other objects.

Security forces in armoured vehicles blocked protesters from going on to nearby Champs-Elysees Avenue. The neighbourhood was reopened to traffic later yesterday evening.

The Interior Ministry said more than 100 people had been arrested in Paris and other French cities.

The movement demanding wider changes to France’s economy to help struggling workers appeared to gain new momentum this weekend. The Interior Ministry said about 32,000 people turned out for demonstrations across the country at midday.

French authorities deployed 80,000 security forces nationwide for the protests and interior minister Christophe Castaner threatened tough retaliation against any who rioted.

Paris police deployed armoured vehicles, horses and attack dogs around the city on Saturday. Subway stations and some shops closed, notably around government buildings and in the Champs-Elysees.

The movement for greater economic equality waned over the holidays but appears to be resurging.