Marseille mayor secures police reinforcements after Macron talks as protests escalate

Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan announced he secured police reinforcements after speaking with President Emmanuel Macron, as protests intensified in the city on Saturday. Demonstrators briefly entered the town hall and attacked a police station. Dozens of protesters forced open the town hall door on the old port, shouting revolutionary slogans before being dispersed by security forces. On the Canebière, a police station was attacked with broken windows and smoke bombs, while shops were vandalized, according to the interior minister's office. The prefecture condemned the actions as unacceptable attacks on public property. Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic and lit garbage fires, with some waving French flags and wearing yellow vests. A larger rally was planned for the afternoon.