All about France's worst civil riots in a decade
After demonstrations in Paris turned violent on Saturday, the French government is considering declaring a state of emergency in a bid to prevent a repeat of the worst civil unrest in the country in a decade. On Sunday, government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux confirmed the same, and urged peaceful demonstrators to negotiate with the government in pursuance of their demands. Here are the details.
Saturday began with peaceful protests
While demonstrations had been going on in France against rising fuel prices and the high cost of living, the protests, so far, had been peaceful, with only sporadic instances of violence. Even on Saturday morning, thousands of 'yellow jacket' protesters, as they are called, walked the streets of Paris shouting slogans calling for Macron's resignation. However, by evening, Paris had turned into a battleground.
Over 5,000 police personnel had to be deployed
On Saturday afternoon, groups of young people with their faces covered took to the streets carrying metal bars and axes, and wreaked havoc on certain parts of Paris, setting vehicles on fire and torching buildings. Over 5,000 police personnel had to be deployed, and the violence was eventually stemmed after police used water cannons and and tear gas to contain the protesters.
The protests have been going on for three weeks
At the end of it all, over 133 people, including 20 police personnel were injured. Over 400 protesters were arrested. The scene in Paris on Saturday, however, was in stark contrast to protests in other parts of France which have largely been peaceful. Yet, sporadic clashes between police and protesters have left hundreds injured and two dead since the protests began on November 17.
The 'yellow jacket movement' began as a small protest
The 'yellow jacket movement', as it is called based on the fluorescent vests the protesters wear, initially started out as a protest against rising fuel prices by motorists. However, since then it has intensified, demands have grown, and the protests have challenged Macron's regime itself.
Emmanuel Macron will take a call on Sunday
Given the situation in France, and the violence in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron is slated to hold a high-level emergency meeting with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, and French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on Sunday. The meeting will see top government officials discuss the riots, measures to curb violence, and steps to open dialogue with the protesters.
Will not accept violence, Macron had said
"No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc de Triomphe is defiled," Macron had earlier said at a G20 news conference.
