Macron vows prosecution as France protests turn violent

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed that protesters who vandalized property and attacked government buildings during nationwide demonstrations will be prosecuted and punished, as violent clashes erupted across France on Saturday. About 400 people were arrested, with interior minister Laurent Nunez reporting 550,000 marchers and describing troublemakers as "extremely violent, radical far-left groups." Police fired tear gas and water cannons in Paris to push back masked protesters throwing fireworks and paving stones, while fires, looting, and damage to city halls occurred in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Limoges, and other cities. An investigation was opened after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne, though authorities declined to confirm media reports it was caused by a police grenade. The demonstrations, which drew hundreds of thousands against rising living costs and poor school conditions, revived the "yellow vest" movement from 2018. Student groups and the CGT labour union backed the protests, which come amid a presidential election campaign and follow weeks of school blockades and scrutiny over police use of riot-control weapons.