Macron Vows United France Against 'Sowers of Chaos' as Protests Turn Violent
Violent clashes between police and protesters erupted across France on Saturday, with looting and multiple incidents reported. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "looting" and "vandalism," vowing that those responsible will be "prosecuted and punished." Macron said the country is "united against the sowers of chaos who seek to destroy our institutions." The CGT union claims over 500,000 people participated in 1,750 protests nationwide, while officials report at least 400 arrests in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lille. The government attributes the unrest to the "far-left." Protesters stormed town halls in Lille and Marseille, and the Bordeaux mayor's residence was looted. In Saint-Étienne, a protester lost a hand to a police grenade. These are the most violent protests since the 2018 "Yellow Vests" movement.