Armed police swarm streets of Paris as massive riots to hit France today
Armed police have been mobilised in Paris as the city braces for more protests and riots on Saturday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said as many as 70,000 officers will be deployed nationwide, along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons. In central Paris, a few dozen gendarmes have been stationed beneath the Arc de Triomphe and along the nearby avenues. Armed police and armoured vehicles have also been spotted in the city. Major museums have closed, and authorities deployed a sizeable police force for a round of new protests. Scenes of looting, burned-out cars and attacks on public buildings left the impression that the government had lost control, as groups of masked vandals targeted businesses in Paris and other city centres.
TL;DR
- 70,000 officers deployed nationwide to manage protests.
- 135 people arrested, with weapons including a katana seized.
- Major museums in Paris have closed.
- Police used tear gas and stun grenades in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand.
- Protests have been banned in some cities, drawing criticism.
- The Yellow Vest movement plans further demonstrations.
- Shopkeepers in Paris have been barricading their stores.
- Demonstrators in Madrid marched for pension protections.
- Protesters in Albania are demanding action on university conditions and corruption.