In brief
On Saturday, roughly 550,000 demonstrators decried France’s cost of living and called for greater investment in education, mobilizing across major cities. The demonstrations rapidly devolved into vandalism, with cars set on fire and shops ransacked. Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons, leading to at least 1,200 arrests. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, vowing that looters would be prosecuted. The unrest follows weeks of student‑led protests, reflecting a growing national frustration with economic conditions and government handling of the crisis.
An estimated 550,000 people marched across France on Saturday, demanding greater investment in education and action on the rising cost of living.
The demonstrations quickly descended into violence, with cars and buildings set alight and shops ransacked.
At least 1,200 people were arrested as riot police deployed tear gas and water‑cannon strikes to disperse the crowds.
The unrest follows weeks of student‑led protests, with demonstrators joining forces to express growing anger over economic conditions and French President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the crisis.
In a social‑media post, Macron denounced the violence and promised that vandals and looters would be "prosecuted and punished".
