1,200 arrested as France protests turn violent with looting in Paris
At least 1,200 people were arrested and 150 police officers injured as cost-of-living protests in France descended into violence, with looters ransacking shops and attacking shopkeepers in Paris on Saturday. The unrest erupted alongside nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. Videos showed protesters assaulting individuals who objected to looting, with one woman shouting "This isn't the cause" before being pushed aside by masked men claiming they had "urgent shopping" to do. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the arrests late Saturday as police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters. The violence adds to political uncertainty ahead of France's presidential election in six months, with the interior ministry estimating 550,000 marchers while the CGT union claimed 800,000.