France Protests Latest News: Macron Calls For Calm After Riots, Looting And Clashes With Police

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “calm and order” after the protests over high fuel costs, increasing living expenses, and deteriorating public services turned violent in Paris and other French cities on Saturday. While most of the protests were peaceful, there were cases of rioting, vandalism, and looting in the country. Some of the unrest occurred in Paris and Lyon on Sunday.

In an address from the Elysee Palace, the president addressed protesters and the violators and advised them not to “escalate” matters. He said: “We all feel anger and shame.”

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Some 550,000 people are estimated to have participated in demonstrations in France. Protesters were frustrated over high fuel prices, increasing living expenses, and the deteriorating state of public services like schools.

While noting that it was essential to differentiate between the “legitimate claims” made by the peaceful demonstrators and those who caused the unrest and the destruction, Macron strongly criticized the unrest, saying: “Nothing justifies the unbridled violence we have seen in the demonstrations.” The President further said that the perpetrators would be faced with the law. According to reports from the Interior Ministry of France, police have arrested some 2,400 people over the unrest.

France Protests Latest News: Riots And Looting Hit Paris, Marseille And Lille

Riots that included black-clad individuals wearing masks and balaclavas occurred in Paris, Marseille, and various other urban areas. In addition, some burned down vehicles and buildings and others damaged shops and businesses.

The riots continued in small numbers on Sunday, with fights breaking out in various parts of Paris and Lyon. As stated by the AFP news agency, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades on hundreds of people in Paris. In return, some rioters threw bottles and stones at the security forces. These riots have led to various cities facing destroyed buildings, damaged properties, and debris. It is considered to be one of the worst outbreaks of unrest in the history of modern France.