Half a million protest across France as clashes erupt with police
At least half a million people are demonstrating across France on Saturday, with violent clashes erupting between protesters and police in nationwide protests against rising living costs. Unions, farmers, teachers, firefighters, students, and rioters have joined forces, blocking roads and setting fires, while police responded with tear gas and water cannons. The CGT union claims 800,000 participants across 1,750 demonstrations, while the interior ministry reports 550,000. Protesters stormed town halls in Marseille and Lille, and a tourist office was set ablaze in Lyon. President Emmanuel Macron urges calm, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemns the "extreme" violence. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen blames far-left "rioters" for tarnishing the protests. Authorities report 270 arrests, and one demonstrator's hand was blown off by a stun grenade in Saint-Etienne.