Serious unrest in protests against the cost of living across France: at least 272 arrested

The demonstrations called this Saturday in France against the rising cost of living have led to serious riots in places such as Marseille, Lyon, Paris and Nantes, among other cities, which have resulted in 272 arrests, according to provisional data provided by the French Ministry of the Interior.

The protests, called against inflation and the loss of purchasing power, have mobilized diverse groups in different parts of France: from students, 'yellow vests', climate activists and even farmers have participated in these marches, which have been accompanied by clashes and material damage in several cities.

The authorities have reported an increase in violent acts, including attacks against security forces, looting or attempted looting of businesses and damage to public buildings carried out by groups of several hundred individuals dressed in black, linked to the extreme left.

Pitched battle in Paris

In Paris, the demonstration began with violent incidents in the Place de la République, where several hundred individuals confronted the security forces, the Police Prefecture (Government Delegation) reported.

There, protesters have thrown projectiles at police and gendarmes and some have damaged the facades of buildings to throw stones. The Prefecture has identified the participants as members of "ultra-left groups", and the security forces have responded with tear gas to disperse the violent groups and keep them at a distance.

Despite the incidents, the march continued its journey from Place de la République to Place de Clichy, while police operations in the area continued.

Assault on the Marseille town hall

One of the most notable incidents that occurred this Saturday took place when a group of protesters briefly entered the Marseille City Hall headquarters during the protests, without any injuries.

According to images recorded by the TF1 channel, a bust of Marianne, symbol of the Republic, has been thrown to the ground, anarchist graffiti was written on a wall and several screens were broken. Security personnel confronted the assailants in the lobby and eventually fled.

The mayor of the city, Benoît Payan, stated in statements to BFMTV that "the damage is objectively quite limited", although he highlighted the symbolism of the attack on the bust of the Marianne. "It is unacceptable to use this type of demands to enter, break and destroy the cement that unites us as a nation," Payan declared when condemning the acts of violence.

"This Marianne is supposed to represent all French people," argued this independent mayor at the head of a left-wing coalition, who has also described those responsible for the destruction as "useful fools of the extreme right", as they reinforce his message about insecurity in France.

In addition to the incident at the town hall, several businesses in Marseille were vandalized and a municipal police station was damaged.

Looting and burning of a tourist office in Lyon

In parallel, the demonstrations were also punctuated by violent incidents in Lyon, where a group of protesters broke windows and set fire, according to images broadcast live by BMFTV, to a tourist office in the central Place de Bellecour.