Paris riots expose deep social fractures as looting follows protests

Paris suffered its worst riots in recent memory as protests over school conditions and living costs escalated into widespread looting, arson, and clashes with police. The unrest continued the following day as demonstrators regrouped in the Place de la Republique. Volunteers like Alice Boucheron helped clean up destruction, expressing pride in France while condemning the violence. Police dispersed crowds with tear gas, and confrontations involved mostly young men from migrant backgrounds, though the causes of the riots remain debated. The violence included burned vehicles, ransacked stores, and graffiti targeting President Macron and other figures. Looting persisted into the night, with some shops protected by security or metal shutters, until clashes subsided near midnight.