Watch: Masked French protesters briefly storm Marseille city hall

A video, captured during the incident, shows masked protesters storming into the city hall after several attempts to break in using a barricade.

Several dozen protesters briefly entered the lobby of Marseille city hall on the Old Port on Saturday after forcing their way through the entrance, shouting, "it’s the revolution, we’re taking the Bastille. They were later dispersed by law enforcement forces, news agency AFP reported. A video, captured during the incident, shows masked protesters storming into the city hall after several attempts to break in using a barricade. Protesters, some wearing high-visibility yellow vests, are seen gathering at the entrance before moving into the building. The Yellow Vest movement, which staged street protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s government eight years ago over planned fuel tax hikes, has called for Saturday’s demonstrations under the banner of “yellow and youth”. One demonstrator was also seen wearing a Palestinian flag draped over the shoulders.

According to AFP, one of the protesters spray-painted an anarchist “A” symbol on a wall after entering the building, before police intervened. One demonstrator shouted, “We’re taking the Bastille,” referring to the storming of the fortress during the French Revolution in 1789. The demonstrations have at times escalated into violent clashes. Protesters reportedly hurled projectiles at police, who responded by deploying tear gas. Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in demonstrations across France against soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living. The protests are part of a nationwide movement against rising prices and what demonstrators perceive as the erosion of France’s social welfare system. The movement began last month at high schools in the poorer northern suburbs of Paris, where frustration over teacher shortages and deteriorating school facilities developed into a broader campaign against inequality, inadequate public spending and declining standards.