◆3 sources
French authorities imposed a curfew on minors in Lille and the nearby municipalities of Douai, Wattignies and Denain following violent unrest during protests the previous weekend. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had called for local curfews to be introduced.
3 sources
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned arson, looting and violence around protests, while saying peaceful demonstrations have a place in France. After unrest in several cities over the weekend, he announced a series of measures. Lecornu asked prefectures to introduce limited local curfews on Monday evening. The measures were intended in part to protect businesses, which are to receive support.
14 sources
Hundreds of thousands of people protested across France over education, the rising cost of living and government policy. Most demonstrations were peaceful, but violence, arson, looting and clashes with police were reported in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Bordeaux. A later report said 2,000 people had been arrested, at least 600 emergency workers had been injured, and one person had died of a heart attack. A single report said 117 further arrests were made in Paris on Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence while distinguishing it from what he called legitimate demands by peaceful protesters, and called for dialogue and calm. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered to resign after the unrest, but Macron rejected his resignation while acknowledging shortcomings in preparation and intelligence. A single report said Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced local curfews and support for affected businesses.
11 sources
Demonstrations took place across France on Saturday over the cost of living and the position of young people. Violence, arson, looting and clashes with police were reported in several cities, including Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 1,800 people were arrested and 500 police officers, gendarmes, paramedics and firefighters were injured; he described the figures as preliminary. A protester in Saint-Étienne lost a hand after being hit by a police grenade, according to a single report. Police used tear gas and made further arrests during renewed unrest in central Paris on Sunday. Police said 108 people were arrested that day, with a further nine arrests early on Monday. In Belgium, protests against education cuts also led to arrests, including 45 in Liège on Saturday; reports also said arrests were made in Brussels.
9 sources
During nationwide protests in France, people set fire to the historic town hall in Limoges after masked individuals reportedly entered the building by breaking a window. The fire spread to the roof and the building's tower collapsed. Authorities later said the fire was under control, while a regional official said the building is largely lost. The protests, which began over the government and education system, also led to violence, fires and looting in several cities. The Interior Ministry put participation at 550,000 people across 110 demonstrations, while protest groups claimed 800,000. Authorities reported more than 1,200 arrests nationwide and 150 injured officers; separately, 17 people, including seven minors, were reported arrested in Limoges.