Protests that began in France against rising living costs, problems in the education system and social injustice turned into violence and large-scale looting. In many cities, especially Paris, police and demonstrators clashed, vehicles were set on fire and public buildings were targeted. While masked groups were looting luxury stores, allegedly stolen designer bags and watches appeared on second-hand sales platforms. While thousands of people were detained over the weekend, the government faced growing unrest and political pressure.
BARRICADES WERE ESTABLISHED ON THE STREETS OF PARIS
Electric bicycles and garbage bins were set on fire in central Paris during protests held across the country in France. Shop windows were broken, black smoke rose in the streets, and clashes broke out between police and demonstrators.
Crowds spread into the streets, chanting slogans. Demonstrators set up barricades using electric bicycles and items they collected from the environment. Some groups threw paving stones and various objects at the police. Security forces had difficulty taking the events under control.
855 people were detained in Paris. Paris Deputy Mayor Lamia El Aaraje said that there were not enough police officers to control the events.
Speaking shortly before the curfew, one protester said, "We almost made it," stating that they came within about 400 meters of the Elysee Palace.
PROTESTS TURNED INTO LOOTING OF LUXURY STORES
The protests, which were initially organized against problems in education infrastructure, teacher shortages and rising costs of living, moved to a different dimension over the weekend. Masked groups targeted luxury stores in cities such as Paris, Marseille and Bordeaux.
There were looting incidents in the stores of brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior and Rolex. In the images spread on social media, some people were seen displaying allegedly looted luxury goods and selling designer bags and watches on the streets.
Allegations that looted Rolex watches were thrown into trash bins were also brought to the fore. However, not all of these claims have been confirmed by independent sources.
STOLEN LUXURY PRODUCTS ARE ON SECOND-HAND PLATFORMS
Some luxury products allegedly looted during the protests also appeared on the second-hand sales platform Vinted. The platform reported that following the incidents, there was an increase in the number of ads suspected of containing looted items. It was stated that the suspicious ads contained products from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Celine and Hermès.
French Minister of Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff called for the removal of suspicious ads. Le Hénanff said in a statement on his X account: "The items stolen from this weekend are offered for sale on some platforms." The minister called on online sales platforms to cooperate with the authorities and warned that those responsible could be prosecuted.
Vinted, on the other hand, announced that it "took immediate action to detect and remove ads linked to looting" and "increased monitoring of suspicious ads." The company stated that accounts that violate its rules may be permanently banned and that it is cooperating with law enforcement.
Luxury second-hand sales expert Graham Wetzbarger also warned consumers against the risk of purchasing stolen goods. "If you've shopped on a resale platform since the riots, you may have purchased a stolen bag," Wetzbarger told the New York Post.
Wetzbarger said caution should be exercised, especially with new designer products that are put on sale shortly after the events and priced well below market value.
CURFEW IN FRANCE
French authorities announced that the curfews imposed in some cities following the violent incidents will continue for the second night "where the situation requires".
While curfews were imposed in some parts of Paris and Lyon, restrictions were also imposed between 20.00 and 22.00 local time in Bordeaux, Lille and Nice. The bans in Bordeaux, Lille and Nice only covered those under 18.
More than 2,400 people were detained over the weekend. Authorities reported that at least 3 thousand businesses across the country were damaged by vandalism and looting. The extent of the damage left many businesses facing repair costs and loss of income.
Patrick Martin, president of the employers' federation, accused the state of "failing to act" to protect businesses. The government is expected to provide support to damaged shops and restaurants.
A source speaking to the French news agency AFP also reported that the anti-terrorism police took over the investigations.
MACRON CONDEMNED VIOLENCE, POLITICAL DEBATE GROWED
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence during the events. Macron criticized the "unbridled violence" committed by "rebel elements from far-left radical groups and the many criminals who join them." The government announced that those responsible for vandalism and theft will be held accountable.
The events that took place six months before the presidential elections increased the political tension in the country. While it was stated that Marine Le Pen, candidate of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, was ahead in the polls, political parties blamed each other for the protests and security measures.
The RN criticized the government's "desperation" and accused the radical leftist Indomitable France (LFI) party of trying to start a "civil war". Senate President Gérard Larcher also said that the issue of banning the LFI "could be raised" following the weekend's violence.
The prime minister claimed that the "far-left movement" wants to create "deep turmoil" in the country and aims to question the schedule of the presidential elections.
LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon denied the accusations. Mélenchon said that his party "does not direct the popular movement, the movement governs itself." He also criticized the government for its "incompetence in maintaining order".
NEW DEMONSTRATION CALLS HAVE BEEN MADE
Protests in France are expected to continue in the coming days. High school and university student organizations called for new demonstrations on Thursday and Saturday.
The National High School Student Coordination Group called on young people to "take to the streets" and voiced support for the ongoing blockades.
A group of activists who want to revive the "yellow vest" movement of 2018 also announced that they will hold demonstrations across the country on Saturday. The group, which took action against social injustice, announced that it would use the slogan "Macron must go" in the protests.
