MACRON URGES CALM AFTER FRENCH PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT

French President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm and order” on Sunday after protests across France turned into rioting and looting the previous day. In an address from the Élysée Palace, he urged those involved not to “escalate”. France’s interior ministry said police had arrested about 2,400 people. Disorder continued on a smaller scale in parts of Paris and Lyon on Sunday. Macron said those responsible for the destruction would face justice.

About 550,000 people joined largely peaceful demonstrations against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and worsening public services, including schools. Groups of people, some wearing masks, set fire to cars and buildings in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities. In Limoges, a fire started by rioters gutted the 19th-century city hall, and its roof and clock tower collapsed. In Paris on Sunday, police used tear gas and stun grenades as people threw bottles and rocks, according to AFP. A Limoges resident named Annèyse said the damage to the city hall was “hurting everybody”.

Macron drew a distinction between protesters’ “legitimate demands” and the actions of “those who destroyed, smashed and looted”. He said “nothing justifies” the violence. His address followed further clashes with police and looting in the capital and Lyon. Macron said regional prefects would work with local authorities to ban certain gatherings when necessary. He told those responsible for the destruction: “They will answer for what they have done to the Republic.”