France reels from protest violence as police tactics face scrutiny

France woke Sunday to scenes of devastation in major cities after Saturday's national protests against the high cost of living descended into violence and looting, sparking growing criticism of police tactics. Authorities reported around 2,000 arrests and over 600 police, gendarmes, and firefighters injured. The retail federation estimated 1,500 businesses were affected with hundreds of millions of euros in damages, while a protester in Saint-Étienne lost a hand to a police grenade. Mayors in Paris, Limoges, and Marseille criticized a lack of police resources, and opposition parties from far-right to green called for the interior minister's resignation. President Macron will address the nation at 8 p.m., as organizers claimed 800,000 protesters participated nationwide.