High prices in France ignite people's anger! Protests in many places break out into clashes between police and civilians

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in many places in France on the 17th to protest against high prices and the gradual disintegration of the social welfare system that is supposed to provide people with basic opportunities and security. Arson, vandalism and clashes between police and civilians were reported in Paris and other major cities, with police using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the violent crowds.

The Associated Press and the Guardian reported that most demonstrators expressed their demands peacefully, but the Ministry of the Interior pointed out that masked people were causing trouble in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and other places. The police in Paris deployed a large number of police officers. The main march started from the Place de la République and headed to the center of Place de Clichy. Some demonstrators shouted the slogan "We will capture the Bastille" which refers to the French Revolution. Some masked people in the Place de la Republique threw fireworks and debris at the police, and the riot police fired tear gas.

Shops and police stations were damaged in Marseille in the south, and some demonstrators once broke into the city hall. In Lille in the north, demonstrators also broke into the city hall. A fire broke out in a tourist service center in Lyon, sending out thick smoke and flames. The office of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that as of noon on the 17th, there had been 140 protests outside Paris, involving more than 30,000 people, and at least 166 people had been arrested across the country.

The demonstration was in response to calls on social media to revive the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests) movement that started in 2018 to protest social injustice. High school students in poor areas in the northern suburbs of Paris protested against teacher shortages and old school buildings last month, igniting an anger that quickly spread across the country. France's main trade union, the General Confederation of Trade Unions (CGT), also supports the demonstrations, demanding higher wages, higher pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet the needs of the people.

According to a poll of 2,000 people conducted in October, about 45% of French people are worried about the continued high cost of living and inflation.

"We are fighting because the cost of living is too high, the price of fuel is too high, and because high school students are being violently treated and injured just for trying to protest for more teachers and a proper learning environment," said a 19-year-old student identified only as "Lola" who participated in the demonstrations in Paris.

President Macron called for calm on the 16th, saying that the constitution guarantees freedom of demonstration and expression, but the premise is respect for others. The police have also banned some applications for gatherings. On the 17th, many subway stations near the Champs Elysees Avenue and government agencies in Paris were closed.