France Riots: 1,200 Arrested, 150 Police Injured as Unrest Spreads

Riots escalated across France on Saturday, with 1,200 people arrested and 150 police officers injured, according to the government. The unrest included looting, vandalism, and a fire that destroyed the clock tower of a 140-year-old town hall in Limoges. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called it a miracle the casualty count wasn't higher, as clashes erupted in Paris and other cities. The CGT union reported 800,000 protesters nationwide, while the interior ministry cited 550,000, with a record 855 arrests in Paris alone. Masked groups also attacked town halls in Marseille and Lille, a police station in Bordeaux, and a tourist office in Lyon. The violence follows three weeks of student protests that have revived the Yellow Vests movement, with similar demonstrations occurring in Belgium, Italy, and Portugal. President Emmanuel Macron vowed prosecution for vandals, while opposition leader Marine Le Pen blamed far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon for legitimizing violence.