Protests in France, at least 400 arrests: ‘Black Bloc’ activists in the marches, a raid on Marseille Town Hall, and a fire in Lyon

There were also disturbances this morning in the Brussels area and Liège during a march organised by a number of student groups to protest against the government’s austerity policies and to highlight the poor state of education and schools, following in the wake of the protests in France. Clashes with the police, involving charges and the firing of tear gas, were reported in Brussels in the Gare du Midi area and later in the central Place de la Bourse. Several hundred young people are taking part in the demonstration. Local media report tensions with the police during the march in Liège as well, with water cannons being used to disperse the demonstrators.

In Paris, in addition to the official march, which proceeded entirely peacefully to Place de Clichy, there were also several so-called ‘unauthorised’ marches that were broken up by the police. “Several unauthorised marches in Paris have been identified by the police, who are systematically intervening to put an end to the disturbances, disperse the participants and make arrests,” report the Parisian authorities, adding that 163 people have been detained in the capital since the start of the day.

A car and a newsagent’s were set alight in Place de la République, whilst the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse groups of violent protesters. The demonstrations are part of a resurgence of the ‘yellow vests’ movement, the protest movement that began in 2018.

The first signs of tension were also reported outside the capital. In Lyon, France’s third-largest city, a fire broke out inside a tourist information centre. Smoke and flames were seen rising from the building. According to the Rhône prefecture, the police dispersed several groups of demonstrators: around forty people on the Guillotière bridge, and dozens more near the Feyzin refinery. Officers also intervened along the banks of the Rhône, where around a hundred people had gathered, described as ‘hostile’ by the prefecture.

Interior Minister Nuñez has warned that blockades of strategic roads or essential infrastructure will not be tolerated. In an interview with France 2, he also stated that, in the event of serious outbreaks of violence in major cities, the police may use stun grenades.

Ahead of the demonstration, many Parisian shopkeepers have boarded up their shop windows with wooden panels, as shown in several videos circulating on social media. These precautions are reminiscent of the previous ‘Yellow Vests’ protests, which were marked by damage and vandalism. Some shopkeepers have chosen to secure their premises even on the Champs-Élysées, although the authorised march was not scheduled to pass along the famous avenue.

Yesterday, from Brussels, where he was attending the European Council meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and respect. Macron reiterated that the right to protest must be fully respected, but exercised without insults or acts of vandalism, in order to protect people and property and to safeguard the very right to protest.

“We will not be intimidated”: in a post on X, the French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, accuses “far-left groups” of having “organised violence in several cities across France”. “They were joined,” he points out, “by criminals intent on looting and destruction.” “Peaceful demonstrations have every place in our Republic. Arson, looting and attacks do not”, warns Lecornu, calling on his fellow citizens to be “proud of their police officers and gendarmes. They have faced extremely intense violence to protect our fellow citizens and deserve our full support”.