Chaos in Paris as protesters battle riot police, over 200 arrested

French authorities have deployed thousands of police on Paris' Champs-Elysees avenue to try to contain protests by people angry over rising taxes and high costs of living under President Emmanuel Macron's government.

A demonstrator walks past a fire during a protest against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018.
AFP

A demonstrator walks past a fire during a protest against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018.

Chaotic scenes were seen on the streets of Paris as French riot police used teargas on Saturday against protesters clad in fluorescent yellow trying to break through security cordons at the Champs Elysees in the French capital. 

More than 200 people have been arrested during the clashes, local authorities said. The Paris police department said 205 people had been arrested including militants from the far-right and far-left.

Police said at least 80 people including 16 members of the security forces were injured.

French interior ministry said around 75,000 people took part in the protests.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who was attending G20 summit in Buenos Aires, denounced the violent protests, promised a tough response.

AP

A demonstrator watches a burning car near the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration on Dec.1, 2018 in Paris.

Officials fear far-right and far-left groups plan to infiltrate the yellow vests movement, a popular rebellion against diesel tax hikes and the high cost of living.

French authorities have drafted thousands of additional police officers into Paris ahead of a third demonstration on Saturday by protesters angry at high fuel prices as security officials warned of renewed violence.

For more than two weeks, the "yellow vests" have blocked roads across France in a spontaneous, popular rebellion against diesel tax hikes and the high cost of living. It has grown into one of the largest and most stubborn challenges Emmanuel Macron has faced in his 18-month-old presidency.

TRT World's Elena Casas has more details from Paris.

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A week ago thousands of protesters, who have no leader and have largely organised themselves online, converged on Paris for the first time, turning the Champs Elysees into a battle zone as they clashed with police firing tear gas and water canon.

"We're worried that small groups of rioters that aren't yellow vests will infiltrate (the demonstration) to fight security forces and challenge the authority of the state," said Denis Jacob, Secretary General of the Alternative Police union.

"Given the high level of security around the Champs the fear is thugs will go to other places," he said.

Officials said they expected some 5,000 police and gendarmes in Paris, up from about 3,000 last Saturday. Another 5,000 will be deployed across the country for other yellow vests protests.

Reuters

Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, stand near a burning barricade as they face off with riot police during clashes in Paris, France, December 1, 2018.

Workmen erected metal barriers and plywood boards on the glass-fronted facades of restaurants and boutiques lining Paris' most famous avenue on Friday. The Champs Elysees will be closed to traffic and pedestrians will be funnelled through checkpoints.

"There's a lot of incitement on social media and we are expecting excess and violence," David Michaux of the UNSA Police union told Reuters, adding that far-right and far-left groups were expected.

Reuters

Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, face off with French gendarmes during clashes at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris, France, December 1, 2018.

Three protests are officially planned across Paris on Saturday, including the "yellow vests", a union protest against unemployment and a separate demonstration against racism. 

For now, the "yellow vests" — who take their name from the high-visibility jackets all motorists in France must carry in their vehicles — enjoy widespread public support.

When they began, the protests caught Macron off-guard just as he was trying to counter a plunge in popularity, with his approval at barely 20 percent. His unyielding response has exposed him to charges of being out of touch with ordinary people. 

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