2’400 arrests in France’s worst street violence for decades | BBC News

The French President Emmanuel Macron has said violent protesters will face justice, after the worst unrest for decades. 2,400 people have been arrested and almost 1,000 police officers injured, as buildings were burned and shops looted in the protests over high prices and problems with public serves.

More clashes have broken out in Paris and Marseille, where riot police intervened to prevent attempts to ransack businesses. Nationwide demonstrations had earlier erupted into riots, with a town hall burned, shops pillaged and buildings covered in graffiti as violent groups clashed with police in cities across the country.

“Looking at these images, we have all asked ourselves: What was going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?” Macron said in a televised address to the nation. “Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it. Tonight, we all feel anger and shame.”

The unrest has laid bare the deep anger at Macron, who leaves office in 2027 after a decade in power ⁠that has increasingly been defined by social discontent, a weak economy and ballooning debt. Macron said those protesting peacefully had legitimate grievances and their actions should not be confused with those seeking to wreak havoc.

He stopped short of declaring a state of emergency, as demanded by some right-wing politicians, but said the government would act to allow prefects to ban protests if necessary to protect public buildings and local businesses. The government has blamed the violence on what it described as ultra-left groups, as well as criminals it said had instigated the looting.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by James Waterhouse and Katya Adler.

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Source: BBC News (video)