1 October, Kathmandu. Demonstrations turned violent in France on Saturday against poor school conditions, staff shortages and rising costs. During the demonstration, at least 1,200 people were arrested and 150 policemen were injured.
According to the French government, around 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations across the country. During the demonstration, incidents of arson, vandalism and looting occurred in various cities including the capital Paris.
Protesters and riot police clashed in Paris into the evening. Police used tear gas and water cannons to control the crowd.
Buildings and vehicles have been set on fire at various places including the capital. A large fire broke out at a municipal building in the city of Limoges, causing part of the building's roof to collapse, local officials said. A tourist information center was also set on fire in Lyon.
The mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, called the fire at the tourist information center a tragedy for the city. He told the French media BFM TV that the burning of the historic and famous building was a great loss for the city.
The local police said that some people did not allow the firefighters who came to control the fire to work safely.
Regis Juanico, mayor of the southeastern city of Saint-Etienne, said a young man's hand was cut off by a grenade explosion during the demonstration. "Such a tragedy should never have happened," he wrote on social media.
France's interior ministry said there had been targeted violence by masked people in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. Building damage was also reported in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.
Clothing and food stores have been looted in Paris. An Apple store in the city of Lille has been vandalized and looted. Vehicles were also burnt in famous places like Place de la Republique in the capital.
According to the BBC, the main rally in Paris on Saturday afternoon appeared peaceful at first. Some of the young people participating in the demonstration said they were in favor of peaceful change. But as the evening progressed, some groups set fire to the streets, burnt vehicles and ransacked shops.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said that there is extreme violence against the police. He alleged that the demonstration was being used as a preparation for the presidential election. "No one will be allowed to impose their political agenda through violence," he said.
President Emmanuel Macron has said that those who attack and loot government offices, businesses and city buildings will be prosecuted.
Protest against school conditions and costs
For the past few weeks in France, students have been protesting against staff shortages and poor infrastructure in secondary schools. In France, schools for students between the ages of 15 and 18 are called 'Lysées'.
Along with students, trade unions and other agitating groups also participated in Saturday's demonstration. Members of the 'Yellow Vest' group, which has been protesting against high prices since 2018, also participated in the demonstration.
The French government pledged to provide 3,000 more temporary teachers in the education sector in an effort to quell the protests. Education Minister Edouard Geffre made the commitment during a televised interview on October 8. But even then the demonstration did not stop, rather it became more intense.
Demonstration in the shadow of the presidential election
The protests turned violent amid growing political uncertainty in France. President Macron's term ends next year.
Polls indicate a possible contest between National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melençon, leader of the left-wing party La France Insumés, in the presidential election to be held in April.
The protestors have accused the police of using excessive force against the protestors. However, he condemned looting and arson.
Prime Minister Lecornu called Melanson's comments "dangerous and opportunistic". Le Pen accused the extremist leftist groups of holding the legitimate demands of the protesters hostage and claimed that Melanson played a role in inciting the violence.
Concerns about public safety and the climate for the upcoming elections in France have increased as political groups have taken part in protests against poor school conditions and rising costs.
