French protests turn violent as looters hit stores and clash with police

Mass protests across France on Saturday, October 17, ended in clashes with police and looting of stores in several cities. The nationwide action, sparked by fuel price hikes, turned violent in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Rouen, and Nice. Journalists from Le Monde said they had not seen such violence in previous protests. The movement, born on social media, expanded to protest high prices and drew in students, unions, and left-wing parties. In Paris, looters targeted SFR, Etam, and Franprix stores, while an Apple Store in Lille and a Decathlon in Lyon were also robbed. In Nice, about 150 masked rioters threw beach pebbles at police, attacked a surveillance center, and smashed a police car, leading to over 10 arrests. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blamed far-left groups and criminals, vowing the government would not be intimidated. Organizers openly modeled the action on the 2018 yellow vests movement.