France aflame: peaceful protests over cost of living devolve into chaos and looting
Conflicting turnout estimates
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 110,000 protesters gathered in Paris and 550,000 took to the streets across France. The CGT, the country’s largest trade union and a supporter of the demonstrations, put the nationwide figure at nearly 800,000. The protests focused on the cost of living and turned violent in multiple places on Saturday.
Looting hits Paris shops
Near Place de la République in Paris, young people smashed shop windows and took merchandise, AFP reported. Grocery stores looted included Franprix, Monoprix, Picard and Carrefour City. In the 11th arrondissement, people were seen leaving a Franprix with bags containing juice, alcohol and cakes, AFP reported. Cédric, a shopkeeper near the square, told RTL he barricaded himself inside his business to protect his goods.
AFP reported raids and vandalism at supermarkets, pharmacies, luxury boutiques and electronics stores in Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Limoges, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg. Photos also showed luxury outlets, including Galeries Lafayette, being looted.
Businesses warn of damage
Guibert wrote that looting at Lacoste and Aigle stores threatened more than shopfronts, putting jobs, years of work, expertise and the commitment of thousands of workers at risk. A report said Limoges’ 140-year-old town hall caught fire during protests in the city.
Key points
- Nuñez reported 550,000 protesters nationwide; the CGT estimated nearly 800,000.
- Looting was reported in Paris and several other French cities.
- Lecornu said authorities arrested 1,200 people across France.
- Limoges’ 140-year-old town hall caught fire during protests.