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Protests over living costs turn violent across France with clashes, fires and looting

By ChordNews · First written (new coverage , updated )

Fires and clashes rock France amid massive nationwide protests
Image: france24.com
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Summary

Protests over higher living costs and declining conditions in schools and public services spread across France on the weekend, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets according to France 24 and one Sydney Morning Herald report, though another Sydney Morning Herald headline described tens of thousands rallying. Protesters clashed with police in Paris and other cities, and police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Several town halls were broken into, and at least one was set on fire. Many shops were vandalised and ransacked. One protester had a hand torn off by what appeared to be a police crowd-control grenade, according to France 24. Al Jazeera reports that authorities counted 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers as unrest erupted in multiple cities. The New York Times reports that France imposed scattered curfews on Monday after weekend protests devolved into riots.

This continues an earlier story: Tens of thousands march in France as protests turn violent

Later: France seeks to curb violence after unrest spreads across multiple cities · Italian police detain 271 as Milan protests over services and costs turn to looting · Violent protests spread across Europe, with looting and clashes with police · Cost-of-living protests across France on October 17 descend into rioting, with police overwhelmed · French police tactics at protests draw renewed scrutiny after teargas, baton charges and stun grenades · Protests over living costs turn violent across France with clashes, fires and looting

Timeline

  1. France 24

    Source ↗

    France 24 reports that hundreds of thousands protested in Paris and other French cities over living costs and declining public services, with clashes, town hall break-ins, fires and looting, and that one protester had a hand torn off by what appeared to be a police crowd-control grenade.

  2. Sydney Morning Herald

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    The Sydney Morning Herald reports that tens of thousands rallied over the cost of living, and that police fired tear gas and water cannons in Paris to push back hooded people throwing fireworks at officers.

  3. Sydney Morning Herald

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    The Sydney Morning Herald reports that violent clashes, fires and looting marred demonstrations as hundreds of thousands marched against rising living costs and school conditions.

  4. The Hindu

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    The Hindu reports that police fired tear gas and water cannons at Place de la République to push back hooded and masked people throwing fireworks, paving stones and other objects.

  5. Sydney Morning Herald

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    The Sydney Morning Herald describes the clashes as some of France's worst unrest in years, with protesters in Paris joining nationwide demonstrations against the cost of living.

  6. Al Jazeera

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    Al Jazeera reports that authorities recorded 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers as unrest erupted in multiple French cities.

  7. The New York Times

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    The New York Times reports that France imposed scattered curfews on Monday after weekend protests over living costs and poor school conditions devolved into riots.

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