France protests latest: Macron says ‘we all feel anger and shame’ after ‘unprecedented violence’ prompts 2,000 arrests
Emmanuel Macron said France feels “anger and shame” after a day of protests that descended into rioters setting fire to cars and building led to 2,000 arrests on Saturday
In a national address on Sunday evening, Macron expressed support for French law enforcement, mayors, shop owners, and families following the “unprecedented violence” the day before.
Despite making clear that most protesters had taken to the streets peacefully with legitimate concerns, the French president warned the government would “make examples” of those who turned to looting and violence.
More than 500,000 people took to the streets before violent groups clashed with police officers in demonstrations across the country.
In Limoges, flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall, causing its roof to collapse, with the lootings of hundreds of businesses in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice, and other cities.
Macron held an emergency meeting with top government officials on Sunday afternoon, before addressing the nation at 8pm.
US president Donald Trump hit out at the protesters, writing on social media: “France is burning!”
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ poor northern suburbs, where anger over education facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality.
