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Police and protesters clash in nationwide protests
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Mass protests across France on Saturday over high prices, social inequalities, and education system issues led to violent clashes between police and demonstrators in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lille.
- The Interior Ministry reported 272 arrests by mid-afternoon, citing incidents of looting, fires, and attacks on media outlets and government buildings, attributing unrest to the "ultra-left."
- Protesters vandalized offices of French broadcasters, set fire to Lyon's tourism office, and broke into Lille's town hall, while police used tear gas to disperse crowds.
- Over 600 demonstrations were planned nationwide, with authorities expecting around 200,000 participants; however, key areas in Paris faced rally restrictions due to security concerns.
- The protests involve students, trade unionists, and Yellow Vest movement remnants, with political tensions heightened ahead of elections and ongoing investigations into police violence during recent demonstrations.
