Student-led protests across France turned violent on Saturday, with nearly 1,800 arrests and hundreds injured, as demonstrators voiced grievances over education reforms and the cost of living.
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01Summary
- 01Authorities reported 550,000 protesters nationwide on Saturday, while unions said 800,000; nearly 1,800 people were arrested.
- 02More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured in the unrest, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.
- 03In Paris, shops were looted and a newspaper stand burned; the city's mayor described the destruction as 'unacceptable'.
- 04In Marseille, dozens of shops were looted and city hall was breached; in Limoges, flames engulfed the city hall.
- 05France's police inspectorate has opened 36 investigations into alleged police violence since the protests began in mid-September.
02Why it matters
The unrest threatens to overshadow the protesters' message and puts pressure on the government to address social discontent while passing an austerity budget, amid a tense pre-election political climate.
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