News
Police fired tear gas and water cannons onto thousands of demonstrators protesting a new round of fuel tax hikes and an overall rising cost of living in Paris, France, on Saturday. Demonstrators reportedly smashed windows, set fire to vehicles, and vandalized the Arc de Triomphe in what marked the third week of demonstrations against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms. Indeed, photos of the Yellow Jackets protests in Paris show just how destructive this urban riot has been.
According to NBC News, more than 400 people were arrested with 130 people injured in Saturday's so-called "Yellow Jacket" or "Yellow Vest" protests in Paris. While a number of protesters remained peaceful, officials told the BBC that others hurled projectiles at law enforcement, vandalized property, and set fire to cars and buildings. According to France's Interior Ministry, at least six buildings were set on fire.
While Saturday's protest turned destructive in Paris, the City of Lights wasn't the only French city to see demonstrations against rising gas taxes. Some 75,000 people were estimated to have participated in some kind of demonstration against the reform on Saturday, according to Sky News.
But Saturday's protesters fell significantly short of the 280,000 people NBC News reported took to the streets across the country in protest of the tax hike on Nov. 17. Those demonstrations, however, remained largely peaceful, in contrast to Saturday's protests in Paris.
On Sunday, government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and said the country was considering declaring a state of emergency in an effort to prevent further unrest, Sky News reported.
Demonstrators Took To The Streets
Hundreds marched near the Arc de Triomphe on Saturday in what the Associated Press has called the "most violent urban riot" seen in France in more than a decade.
Police Clashed With Protesters
Police were reported to have used tear gas, water canons, and stun grenades on protesters Saturday, according to the BBC.
Police Sprayed Tear Gas At Protesters
Police fired tear gas on thousands of demonstrators, known as "Yellow Jackets," protesting the city's high cost of living and an upcoming increase on gas and diesel taxes that is likely to see prices at the pump jump by 12 and 28 cents per gallon, respectively, according to NBC News.
Multiple Injuries Were Reported
So-called Yellow Jacket demonstrators — so named because of their yellow safety vests — assist another protester who was wounded by a police water canon Saturday.
Indeed, More Than 100 People Were Injured
Police told Sky News that at least 133 people had been injured in the protest.
Protest Graffiti Was Found On The Arc De Triomphe
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the graffitied Arc de Triomphe early Sunday after returning from the G-20 Summit in Argentina, according to the BBC.
Demonstrators Reportedly Set Fire To Cars and Other Property
Multiple fires were reported as having been set during Saturday's protest.
Leaving Fire Crews To Battle The Blazes
Firefighters in Paris work to extinguish a car reportedly set on fire by so-called "Yellow Jacket" demonstrators as part of a multi-day anti-government protest.
Crews Worked To Minimize The Protest's Impact
As protesters and police clashed, fire and clean up crews worked to contain and clear some of the destruction brought about by the protest.
But Things Aren't Likely To Be Business As Usual Just Yet
Cleanup efforts are expected to continue Sunday.
