Paris braces for more riot chaos as furious protesters to take to streets again
Paris is bracing for more protests and riots on Saturday after days of violent unrest in the country. 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. 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 were stationed beneath the Arc de Triomphe and along the nearby avenues.
TL;DR
- Paris anticipates more protests and riots on Saturday after days of violent unrest.
- Authorities are deploying 70,000 officers nationwide, supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles, and water cannons.
- Major museums such as the Louvre and Orsay Museum have closed.
- Looting, burned-out cars, and attacks on public buildings have been reported.
- Police have arrested 135 people and seized various weapons.
- Student groups have reported being surrounded and prevented from accessing the metro by riot police.
- The "Yellow Vest" movement has called for new demonstrations.
- Protesters are condemning the "authoritarian drift" of President Macron and advocating for public freedoms.
- Some protest marches have been banned by local authorities, drawing criticism from trade unions.
- Thousands gathered for an anti-far-right protest in Orléans.
- The route of the Paris march was moved to the city's southeastern edges.
- Shopkeepers have been boarding up their stores, with some 3,000 shops damaged or looted last weekend.
- Art Basel cancelled its weekend programme due to the threat of unrest.