Dozens arrested in Paris as tens of thousands expected to protest across France
Around 40 people have been arrested ahead of widespread demonstrations expected across France on Saturday against high prices and inequality.
Police said the arrests were “primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear” and said that “enhanced checks” are being carried out.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.
A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of the two official demonstrations.
Hundreds of other protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands set to participate.
Protesters in hi-vis vests blocked streets, an echo of the unrest that dogged President Emmanuel Macron’s previous term, while in Marseille, trash cans were set alight.
“We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions,” said a 19-year-old protester in Paris who gave her name as Lola.
The police have drawn criticism for their response due to a grisly list of injuries among demonstrators, including one teenager who had his hand blown off after picking up a stun grenade.
Prime minister Sebastien Lecornu said more than 900 police had also been injured.
The internal police watchdog is investigating at least two dozen cases of alleged police violence.
France suspended the use of stun grenades for the student demonstrations, but Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said they could be used on Saturday.
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