Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in France on Saturday to express their dissatisfaction with the government, the high cost of living and the police.
Clashes with police and acts of violence broke out even before many of the protest marches had set off. Much of the demonstrations were orderly, but masked, violent groups took over in many places in what French media described as “guerrilla-like” protests.
Authorities and politicians responsible for the response gathered on Sunday for crisis meetings about the worsening situation in the country.
A total of almost 2,400 people were arrested, the country's interior ministry said on Sunday evening. Around 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven of them seriously.
In a televised address to the nation at 8 p.m. local time in France, President Macron said that he “understands the students’ criticism,” but that “nothing excuses violence.”
Hand blown away
The number of people injured in the protests has not been made public, but protesters have spoken of "brutality" and police violence.
A 17-year-old boy in Saint-Étienne lost his right hand after coming into contact with a stun grenade. A similar incident occurred involving a 15-year-old boy during protests in Lille the other week.
Shops have been looted in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Limoges, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg. Streets have been vandalized, police stations attacked, and town halls stormed and burned.
French authorities say 550,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country. According to the CGT union, there were at least 800,000.
Widespread dissatisfaction
In recent weeks, French society has been characterized by growing dissatisfaction with the government, political leadership and President Macron personally.
The wave of protests has emerged from a left-leaning student movement among high school and university students. Several demonstrations have been followed by violence and clashes with police. As the protests have grown, farmers, trade unionists and supporters of the Yellow Vests protest movement have joined forces with the students.
The groups are united in their criticism, but far from unanimous on how the problems should be addressed or what political direction the country should take.
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