In brief
The capital of France erupted into a mix of celebration and conflict after thousands gathered to protest. What began as a largely peaceful march shifted after nightfall as demonstrators fired fireworks and objects at the police. The interior ministry said 70,000 officers were on duty, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Over 400,000 marchers were counted, with nearly a thousand arrests made.
On Saturday, the streets of Paris turned wild. Police and protestors clashed as fireworks and random objects exploded across the city.
The day started with a mostly peaceful wave of demonstrators. By night, the mood shifted; protestors began firing fireworks at police and hurling objects.
The interior ministry said 70,000 officers were deployed across France for the second week‑end in a row. Tear gas and water cannons were used to push back crowds.
Around 400,000 people are reported to have joined the marches. The police took about 1,000 arrests as the night unfolded.
A senior Europe correspondent reflected that the unrest shows few signs of easing. Stay tuned for more updates on how the protest movement is shaping Paris and France’s future.
