France Descends into Violence as Protests Spread
Hundreds of thousands take the streets while police deploy massive forces, raising concerns over law and order.
For many voters, the violent clashes that erupted across France on Saturday evening, now entering a third weekend, signal a breakdown of public order.
In Paris, rioters threw what appeared to be Molotov cocktails at police, injuring several officers, while US and Israeli flags were set on fire in Lyon; police clashed with protesters again and had to reroute marches to the city's edge.
Authorities report about 70,000 demonstrators in Paris and 320,000 nationwide, prompting the deployment of roughly 70,000 police and gendarmes across the country.
Youth‑led demonstrations have also surfaced in Germany and Italy, suggesting the unrest is not confined to France.
Original reporting
New York Post
Violent Paris protests draw 70K people as Molotov cocktails hurled at cops, US and Israeli flags burned
Violent clashes erupted across France Saturday evening, with rioters throwing what appeared to be Molotov cocktails at Paris police which injured several officers – while in Lyon US and Israeli flags were set on fire.
Read the original →CBS News
French police clash with some protesters again as demonstrations continue
Police said about 70,000 people demonstrated in Paris alone. France's interior ministry said about 320,000 people rallied nationwide.
Read the original →PBS News
A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe
About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, and Paris marches were rerouted to the capital's edge. Youth-led demonstrations were also reported in Germany and Italy.
Read the original →
Facts this version was allowed to use
- Violent clashes erupted across France on Saturday evening.
- Rioters in Paris threw what appeared to be Molotov cocktails at police, injuring several officers.
- US and Israeli flags were set on fire in Lyon.
- French police clashed with some protesters again as demonstrations continued.
- About 70,000 people demonstrated in Paris, according to police.
- About 320,000 people rallied nationwide, according to France's interior ministry.
- The protests in France entered a third weekend.
- About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across France.
- Paris marches were rerouted to the capital's edge.
- Youth-led demonstrations were reported in Germany and Italy.
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