French Police Clash with Protesters in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon

Major riots erupted across Paris, Marseille, and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protesters and radical left activists clashed with police, leading to street battles and vandalism of restaurants and shops. Police deployed tear gas and shock grenades at Place de la République, where black-clad activists threw stones, launched rockets, and attempted to set cars on fire. At least 272 people had been detained by late afternoon, according to French police. The unrest occurred during a permitted demonstration linked to ongoing student protests, with activists also briefly occupying municipal buildings in Marseille and Lille and setting fire to a tourist office in Lyon. Thousands of others protested peacefully nationwide.