Protests in France turned violent on Saturday, with an estimated half a million people taking part, turning into disorder that included setting cars and buildings ablaze and ransacking shops. France's interior minister arrested around 400 people and deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. The unrest follows weeks of student-led protests, with demonstrators joining forces to express growing anger over economic conditions and the handling of the crisis by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron denounced the violence and said that vandals and looters will be "prosecuted and punished."
Key points
Protests in France turned violent on Saturday, with an estimated half a million people ta…: Protests in France turned violent on Saturday, with an estimated half a million people taking part.
France's interior minister arrested around 400 people and deployed tear gas and water can…: France's interior minister arrested around 400 people and deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
The unrest follows weeks of student-led protests, with demonstrators joining forces to ex…: The unrest follows weeks of student-led protests, with demonstrators joining forces to express growing anger over economic conditions and the handling of the crisis by President Emmanuel Macron.
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An estimated half a million people took part in protests across France, demanding greater investment in education and action on the rising cost of living.
The demonstrations quickly descended into violence, with cars and buildings set alight and shops ransacked.
According to France's interior minister, around 400 people were arrested on Saturday as riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
The unrest follows weeks of student-led protests, with demonstrators joining forces to express growing anger over economic conditions and French President Emmanuel Macron handling of the crisis.
In a social media post, Macron denounced the violence and said that vandals and looters will be "prosecuted and punished".
BBC correspondent Adina Campbell reports from Paris.
Video editor: Zahra Fatima
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