Police confront masked rioters as French protests turn violent in several cities
After largely peaceful demonstrations against the cost of living, police in Paris, Marseille and other French cities used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse masked rioters, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
Police in Paris, Marseille and other French cities faced clashes with masked rioters after tens of thousands of demonstrators marched across the country to protest the cost of living and public services. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said about 150 planned demonstrations were largely peaceful, but police encountered an “extraordinary” level of violence as the rallies ended.
In Paris, a riot police officer reported being hit by a Molotov cocktail, describing the incident as an “attempted murder.” The officer added that police were prepared for confrontations that night. Around 70,000 people marched on the south-eastern outskirts of Paris, while the interior ministry estimated a total of 320,000 participants nationwide, down from the previous weekend.
As evening fell, police deployed tear gas, stun grenades and baton charges to disperse groups of masked rioters who used hammers, stones and incendiary devices against officers. The Paris police prefecture said a “hardcore of several hundred rioters” attacked police with projectiles, prompting officers to restore public order. Similar tactics were used in Lyon, where projectiles led to tear-gas deployment, and in Toulouse, where water cannons were employed against an unauthorised protest.
The protests brought together students, trade-union members and former “yellow-vest” activists demanding better wages, education and health services. Student representative Sabrine Kharbach said further school and university blockades were planned, with a larger demonstration scheduled for 5 November.
Parallel demonstrations occurred in Germany, where police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse crowds after youths threw fireworks and other projectiles. Incidents of looting were reported in Frankfurt, and police responded to similar unrest in Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg and other cities. Authorities in Barcelona and several Italian cities remained on alert following calls for new gatherings on social media.