France Encounters Mass Protests
(MENAFN) Close to 200,000 individuals across France demonstrated on Wednesday as part of the “Block Everything” initiative, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau declared during a press briefing.
Retailleau emphasized that youth were “particularly represented” in the marches, while he blamed them for being “hijacked by far-left and ultra-left movements.”
He underlined that in spite of “very, very numerous attempts” to disrupt national activity, “blockers did not block France.”
Official statistics indicated that the protests led to 812 separate protest events across the country.
In Paris, confrontations erupted around several key points such as Porte d’Aubervilliers, schools, and the Gare du Nord train terminal.
Law enforcement deployed tear gas to scatter crowds as multiple garbage containers were ignited.
Within the Chatelet district downtown, a structure went up in flames, requiring a large-scale response from firefighters.
Observers informed a news agency that the fire began after tear gas was used by security units.
The Forum des Halles mall in the heart of Paris was shut down following reports of possible looting as demonstrators advanced toward the complex.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported disturbances in air travel at airports in Marseille, Nice, Bastia, Ajaccio, Figari, and Calvi, with delays and flight cancellations anticipated later in the day.
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