Edward Marchesi Last Saturday, France witnessed a new wave of protests against rising living costs. From the streets of Paris to Marseille, passing through Rennes, Toulouse, and Angers, masked protesters set fire to dumpsters, threw objects, and started fires, prompting a massive deployment of law enforcement. Authorities reported that the clashes resulted in 272 arrests nationwide, a significant increase compared to previous days.
Escalation of protests and arrest data
The Interior Ministry attributed the violence to groups identified as far-left, citing attempted looting, arson, and attacks on government buildings and media outlets. In Paris, police had to use tear gas and water cannons to contain protesters gathered in Place de la République, who then continued toward Place de Clichy.
In Marseille this morning, rioters burned electric scooters and garbage bins, forcing authorities to deploy riot police.
Fires and looting in Marseille
In the south of France, the protests took on particularly destructive proportions: in addition to the vehicles being set on fire, some shops had to protect their windows with wooden panels to prevent looting.
Mayor Benoît Payan called the protesters' break-in at the town hall "unacceptable," reporting limited damage but requesting police reinforcements, with the arrival of two CRS companies and two Centaure units on the direct orders of President Emmanuel Macron.
Institutional reactions and political tensions
President Macron reiterated that the right to demonstrate must be carried out "with respect for people and property." Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the possibility of reactivating stun grenades starting October 17, should "serious urban violence" occur. Meanwhile, the Paris prefecture noted that the majority of protesters behaved peacefully, but had to deal with a hostile minority that remained in Place de la République.
Law enforcement investigations
In recent months, French law enforcement officials have been the target of numerous complaints for alleged excesses. Among the most high-profile cases, a 15-year-old boy lost an eye to a rubber bullet, while a 14-year-old had his hand amputated after picking up a stun grenade. Faced with these incidents, the government has temporarily suspended the use of certain types of grenades and opened 36 investigations, four of which involve serious injuries.
The Alliance Police Nationale union has complained to the state about "contradictory instructions" that left officers exposed to unjustified violence during protests at high schools. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that 937 officers were injured, along with 248 students and 149 teachers—the highest number ever recorded by the Ministry of Education.
The political climate is further fueled by mutual accusations: on one side, the yellow vest movement is accused of causing chaos, while on the other, France Insoumise, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has challenged the media coverage, calling it "marked with images of violence." Mélenchon has called for calm and respect, emphasizing that the vast majority of demonstrations are taking place peacefully.