Swedish shop owner in Paris fears new riots after jewelry store looted
French authorities are preparing for new demonstrations on Saturday, mobilizing around 70,000 police and security personnel, while Swedish shop owner Viveka Bergström says she remains fearful after her Paris jewelry store was looted during last week's riots. Bergström expressed anxiety about what might happen in the coming days. Bergström's store on rue de la Grange aux Belles was attacked by a group who threw stones through the display windows and stole jewelry, destroying the front section while the rear was saved by an iron wall. She estimates losses of 4,000 euros in jewelry plus 10,000 euros in damages, and notes that around 230 shops were looted in Paris last weekend alone. The demonstrations stem from grievances including school budget cuts, high living costs, and social inequality, with violent groups clashing with police and vandalizing buildings and cars. Authorities have deployed armored vehicles and water cannons, closed parts of Paris, and stationed the army to protect key buildings, while many shops and museums, including the Louvre, remain shut.