On Saturday, October 17th, anti-government protests erupted in several parts of France, with citizens expressing their dissatisfaction over rising living costs and deteriorating school conditions. However, many peaceful demonstrations turned into widespread violence, arson, and looting across the country, described as one of the most serious events in France in decades.
According to CNN’s report on Saturday, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that approximately 550,000 people participated in street demonstrations nationwide, with around 110,000 in Paris alone. Organizers estimated that around 800,000 people took part in protests throughout France.
While many demonstrations started peacefully, they escalated into violent acts of vandalism, arson targeting public institutions and buildings, looting luxury boutiques and supermarkets, and attacks on police cars and officers in many cities.
Nunez confirmed that looting or attempted looting incidents occurred in cities such as Paris, Rouen, Nantes, Toulouse, and Marseille.
The city hall in Limoges, a central French city, was set on fire by masked protesters on Saturday night. Witnesses reported that protesters first set fire to a police car outside the city hall before breaking windows and setting it ablaze.
Regional chief Maurice Barate stated that the historic 143-year-old building in Limoges had been mostly consumed by the blaze, with the roof collapsing except for the west wing, and two-thirds of the outer walls disappearing. He described it as a “cultural heritage disaster.”
In Lille and Marseille, protesters broke into government buildings after dark. Dozens of businesses were looted in Marseille.
The streets of Paris on Saturday were filled with the smell of tear gas fired by the police throughout the day. In the evening, young people continued to loot shops and set fires in Paris, while the police kept releasing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the riotous crowds.
Protesters in Paris also stormed the district town hall of the 10th arrondissement, where around 100 participants of a breast cancer prevention event were briefly trapped.
The official residence of the prefect of the Gironde province in Bordeaux was also looted. A Hugo Boss store in Lyon was looted and set on fire.
Nunez stated that approximately 400 people were arrested on Saturday, with the majority being adults unrelated to the student movement. Additionally, around 60 law enforcement officers were injured.
He pointed out that some far-left groups incited trouble at the fringes of the protests, clearly intending to attack and damage public institutions and buildings.
Police enforcement tactics have also faced criticism. Mayor Régis Juanico of Saint-Étienne reported that a young man had his hand blown off while trying to pick up a stun grenade thrown by the police during the protest.
Earlier this month, a student in Lens also lost a hand while trying to pick up a stun grenade. At that time, Nunez ordered the police to halt the use of stun grenades during demonstrations.
However, on Friday, October 16th, he stated that the police must be able to use all medium-intensity weapons when facing the violent outbreaks in cities.
The left-wing French party “La France Insoumise” Deputy Speaker Clémence Guette criticized the police for obstructing legitimate protests of thousands of demonstrators.
This wave of protests in France, which has been ongoing for several weeks, was originally initiated by high school students in disadvantaged suburbs of Paris last month. Initially, the protests were due to a lack of teachers and outdated school facilities, but they later evolved into a nationwide movement against social inequality, insufficient public spending, and declining living standards.
On Saturday, a 19-year-old Parisian named Lola told Reuters that the high cost of living and oil prices were too high, and high school students seeking more teachers were met with violence.
Another protester in Paris told CNN, “Wealth and power continue to accumulate, and it’s spiraling out of control.”
A 36-year-old woman named Pauline added, “We are here to support the youth. While some victories have been achieved, things are not progressing in the right direction from a broader perspective.”
Another protester complained that under President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, democracy in France has declined, and power has become increasingly centralized.
Louise, 38, stated, “Billionaires are controlling the media. We are working hard to change the current situation.”
President Macron stated late Saturday that France “does not tolerate violence” and that the perpetrators of destruction and attacks will be prosecuted and punished.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blamed the violence on the influence of far-left groups.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of “La France Insoumise,” responded that most protesters engaged peacefully and criticized the government’s decisions for the current chaotic situation.