French police intervene in Yellow Vests' protest in Paris
French riot police fired tear gas and clashed with "yellow vest" protesters in central Paris on Saturday during the latest in a wave of demonstrations against the high cost of living that have shaken President Emmanuel Macron's authority.
Authorities said 575 people had been searched and briefly arrested and 361 people of them remained in custody after police found potential weapons such as hammers, baseball bats and metal petanque balls on them.
Hundreds of protesters were milling around the Arc de Triomphe monument, which was defaced with anti-Macron graffiti last Saturday, when rioters also torched dozens of cars and looted shops in the worst rioting in Paris since May 1968.
French police deploy dogs during 'yellow vest' protests at Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France.
French police deploy dogs during 'yellow vest' protests at Arc de Triomphe
A police spokeswoman told reporters there were about 1,500 protesters on the Champs Elysees boulevard. Large groups of people spilled into other areas and heading to eastern Paris, where a march against climate change was scheduled for the afternoon. Some also temporarily blocked the ring road circling central Paris.
"We took the train for 11 hours just to protest today. We feel scorned by these technocrats that govern us," said Gilles Noblet, a demonstrator from the southwest region of Ariege.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe appealed for restraint.
Protesters wearing bright yellow vests --dubbed the Yellow Vests-- are gathering at the famous Champs-Elysees avenue where stores, restaurants and banks were shut down as precaution against possible violence. Security measures have been tightened in Paris ahead of the demonstrations. Dozens of armored vehicles and 89,000 troops --including 8,000 in Paris-- will be on duty.'Yellow Vest' protests continue to dominate Paris
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"We will do all we can so that today can be a day without violence, so that the dialogue that we started this week can continue in the best possible circumstances," he said on French television.
On Tuesday, Philippe announced the government was suspending planned increases to fuel taxes for at least six months to help defuse weeks of protests, the first U-turn by Macron since he came to power 18 months ago.
About 89,000 police were deployed across France on Saturday, some 8,000 of them in Paris.
French police fired tear gas at protesters as 'Yellow Vest' protests swelled in Paris against President Emmanuel Macron's policies.
French police fire tear gas at protesters in Paris
"TROUBLEMAKERS"
"We have prepared a robust response," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told online news site Brut. He called on peaceful protesters not to get mixed up with "hooligans".
"The troublemakers can only be effective when they disguise themselves as yellow vests. Violence is never a good way to get what you want. Now is the time for discussion," he said.
"We have come here for a peaceful march, not to smash things. We want equality, we want to live, not survive," said Guillaume Le Grac, 28, who works in a slaughterhouse in the town of Guingamp in Britanny.
Protesters, using social media, have billed the weekend as "Act IV" in a dramatic challenge to Macron and his policies.
Some 8,000 police are deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem, when rioters torched cars and looted shops off the Champs Elysees boulevard, and defaced the Arc de Triomphe monument with graffiti directed at President Emmanuel Macron.
Police position armoured vehicles around Arc de Triomphe during protest
Small groups of riot police moved quickly among protestors and clamped down on anyone trying to damage shops or public amenities.
Much of Paris looked like a ghost town, with museums, department stores closed on what should have been a festive pre-Christmas shopping day.
Many shops were boarded up to avoid looting and street furniture and construction site materials have been removed to prevent them from being used as projectiles.
Tourists were few and residents were advised to stay at home if at all possible. Dozens of streets were closed to traffic, while the Eiffel Tower and world-famous museums such as the Musee d'Orsay, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre were shut.
The last three weeks of protests in France have "created a monster", the country’s interior minister said Friday.Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekend, when a fresh round of anti-government protests will be held throughout the country Saturday against spiraling living costs, Christophe Castaner said that unlike past weeks, fewer people will likely be taking part. Castaner noted, however, that the number of protestors would likely reach several thousand.He stressed that pro-violence extremists are expected to be among the demonstrators, adding massive security measures would be taken.Castaner said there will be zero tolerance for violent acts and called on the demonstrators to take part in dialogue.Galeri: 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to dominate ParisProtesters wearing bright yellow vests, who have been dubbed the Yellow Vests, are expected to gather early Saturday at the famous Champs-Elysees avenue, where stores, restaurants and banks began taking their own measures, including covering their windows and doors with wooden planks and wire fencing.Police distributed notices to shops and restaurants along the avenue warning them of possible violent incidents during the demonstrations.Security officials asked them to keep doors and windows shut and not to leave chairs and tables outside. They also asked construction companies in the city not to leave building materials on streets.Security forces also began taking measures near the Elysee Palace in the capital.32 people arrested ahead of Yellow Vest protests in FrancePolice mobility has been enhanced in Paris ahead of the demonstrations. Dozens of armored vehicles and 89,000 troops will be on duty, including 8,000 in Paris.Many regional government offices throughout France have also prohibited the sale of fuel and other flammable materials.The demonstrations have also affected the cultural life of Paris. Museums will be closed Saturday, while opera performances and football matches have been cancelled in areas where protests area expected.Symbols of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower and the Triumphal Arch will be closed during the demonstrations.Many metro lines as well as roads and streets around the Champs-Elysees will also be closed to traffic.Palestine, France sign agreements in various fieldsThousands of Yellow Vest protesters have been gathering in major French cities, including Paris, since Nov. 17 to protest President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation in France.The demonstrators, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and make economic arrangements to ease their lives.The French government cancelled the fuel tax hikes late Thursday following weeks of violent demonstrations.At least three people have died during the riots while 1,043 others have been injured, including 222 members of the security forces. As many as 1,424 people have been arrested.Fuel prices in France have risen more than 20 percent this year.
Protests in France have 'created a monster': Minister
"Tourists are a bit disoriented - no subway, no shopping, no museums... but they seem to take it in their stride," said hotel receptionist Pascal, who declined to give his surname.
The protests, named after the high-visibility safety jackets French motorists have to keep in their cars, erupted in November over the squeeze on household budgets caused by fuel taxes.
Demonstrations have since swelled into a broad, sometimes violent rebellion against Macron, a challenge made more difficult to handle since the movement has no formal leader.
Authorities say the protests have been hijacked by far-right and anarchist elements bent on violence and stirring up social unrest in a direct affront to Macron and the security forces.
Despite the government's climbdown over the fuel tax, the 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions, including lower taxes, a higher minimum wage, lower energy costs, better retirement benefits and even Macron's resignation.
Police in Brussels, Belgium, dispersed protestors wearing "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) onto the side streets on Saturday.The protestors were demonstrating against high taxes and costs of living in the city.Hundreds of police officers were mobilized across Brussels, where yellow vest protesters last week clashed with police and torched two police vehicles.Police took tight security measures in the city center and the area where the EU Commission and Council are located.More than 70 people were detained. Ilse Van de Keere, a police spokesperson, said that arrests were carried out around the Brussels central train station and the Schuman area.Video: 'Yellow Vests' protest in BrusselsِAt least 481 people arrested in relation to Yellow Vest protests in FranceProtests in France have 'created a monster': Minister
Police in Brussels disperse 'yellow vest' protesters onto side streets