Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France joining students

Demonstrators across France joined students on Saturday to protest rising living costs amid a deepening fiscal crisis, according to WVXU and KWBU. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's office reported a growing number of violent incidents, including assaults on police officers, looting or attempted looting of shops, and damage to public buildings.

Authorities made at least 272 arrests across the country, including in Paris, where police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hooded and masked individuals who threw fireworks and other objects at officers near Place de la République. Riot police were deployed in large numbers in the square and surrounding streets.

Most peaceful protesters participated in a march moving toward northwestern Paris, chanting the French national anthem and waving flags, accompanied by trumpet and violin music. Police also worked to prevent smaller groups from approaching government buildings. Many metro stations were closed at police request, especially near key sites like the Champs-Elysées, presidential palace, parliament, and government offices.

In Lyon, about 20,000 protesters marched, and a fire broke out inside a tourist office, with smoke and flames visible. In Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, and some protesters briefly entered City Hall's lobby. Marseille's mayor described the damage as limited but unacceptable.

Violent incidents involving masked groups were also reported in Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Grenoble. Protesters responded to social media calls to revive the 'yellow vest' movement, originally launched in 2018 against social injustice, expressing widespread frustration with current economic conditions.