Widespread clashes, arson and looting marked protests across France on Saturday, leaving one rioter dead, 1,200 people arrested and 150 police officers injured.
The death occurred in Paris after a person suffered cardiac arrest on Boulevard de Magenta and died outside a first-aid station. A 17-year-old in Saint-Étienne lost a hand after allegedly picking up a police grenade.
Masked rioters set fire to Limoges Town Hall, stormed Marseille City Hall, attacked the CNews headquarters, and damaged buildings including Lyon’s tourist office and town halls in Lille and Grenoble. Serious clashes also took place around Place de la République in Paris.
Attendance estimates differed: organisers and the CGT union claimed 800,000 participants, while the Interior Ministry put the figure at 550,000. Around 110,000 took part in Paris.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron said those responsible for the violence and destruction would be prosecuted. Lecornu stated that “no one will impose their political agenda through violence.” The government pointed to elements on the Left amid the fallout.
