France Rocked by Riots as 1,800 Arrested After Nationwide Protests

Violent clashes erupted in Paris, Marseille and several other cities as groups of masked individuals, some wearing black clothing and balaclavas, set fire to vehicles and buildings and looted businesses. In the French capital, protesters confronted riot police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. At least one restaurant was gutted by fire, while police officers were seen charging crowds and striking several people with batons. The unrest disrupted public life and caused extensive damage to commercial properties.

In Marseille, protesters broke into the city hall using a metal fence as a battering ram, while in Lille, a McDonald’s restaurant was set on fire and an Apple store was broken into and looted, according to police. The violence across major French cities overshadowed demonstrations over economic pressures and declining public services, leaving authorities facing the challenge of restoring order and assessing the scale of the damage.