“We had never seen this”: the distress of the police in the face of the extreme violence of the thugs

In unison, the police described this Saturday as a “real day from hell”. The mobilization of October 17 brought together several angers around the same denunciation: the high cost of living (rise in fuel prices, difficulties around purchasing power). “Yellow vests”, employees, high school students and students also demanded more resources for public services, in particular education.

But their demands were completely eclipsed by the looting and urban violence that punctuated their journeys across the four corners of France. Even before the departure of the processions, several violent actions were observed with blockages aimed at hindering traffic, then the first jets of projectiles and, as the hours passed, urban equipment and public buildings destroyed, businesses looted, barriers toppled.

In this chaos which intensified until the middle of the night, the police found themselves at the heart of the looting and clashes, directly targeted by the throwing of paving stones, stones, and the blows of ultra-violent thugs. More than 600 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, caught in these scenes of violence,” said the Minister of the Interior.

“Physically and psychologically, colleagues are exhausted. It’s completely hopeless to have such a level…