Violence increases in protests in France
Authorities attributed violence in protests across France to the actions of far-left groups. Read more at Gazeta do Povo
TL;DR
- Over 400 arrests were made during nationwide protests in France.
- Serious incidents, including looting and damage to public buildings, occurred in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Nantes.
- The Ministry of the Interior blamed far-left groups for organizing violence, describing them as "criminals mixed with them to loot and destroy."
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that peaceful protests have a place but violence will not be tolerated.
- Incidents included the invasion of Marseille's city hall and arson attacks on businesses in Lyon.
- In Paris, unauthorized marchers attempted to reach institutional buildings, prompting security intervention.
- A protester in Saint-Étienne reportedly lost a hand due to a grenade explosion, which a newspaper suggested was police-related.
- Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), described the atmosphere as calm, denying accusations of inciting violence.
- Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), blamed LFI for the violence, stating that legitimate social demands were held hostage by the far-left.