France protests: Macron condemns rioting and looting after 1,800 arrests

French President Emmanuel Macron said France felt "anger and shame\" after riots and looting hit protests over living costs and school conditions. Authorities said at least 1,800 people were arrested nationwide. Macron said those who looted must repay damage. Macron also said people trying to \"bring down the Republic\" would face accountability.

Representative image

Macron blamed the violence on insurrectionist figures from radical far-left groups. Macron said criminals also joined the unrest. Macron spoke after an emergency meeting with senior officials. The meeting followed attacks on public buildings and fires in several cities. City halls were among the buildings targeted.

France protests and Macron orders for security

Macron said prefects must work with mayors to protect public sites and shops. Macron said this effort should last for the coming weeks. Macron said protests could be banned when needed. In Paris, hundreds gathered again at Place de la République on Sunday. Police used tear gas after tensions rose in nearby streets.

Small groups tried to set bicycles and rubbish bins on fire in the area. The site also showed heavy damage after earlier unrest. In Limoges, flames swept through the 19th-century City Hall. Officials said the roof collapsed. Reports said the building was almost destroyed.

Paris riots, arrests and scenes at Place de la République

Dislodged cobblestones and broken glass covered areas around Place de la République on Sunday. Shattered shop fronts were also visible. Police said looting and damage spread to other shopping and tourist districts. Paris police said 855 people were arrested in the capital region. Prosecutors said 557 remained in custody.

\"I am actually stunned by the level of destruction and violence that was expressed,\" said government employee Marie Peyreigne, 57. People photographed damage near the monument base at the square. The monument includes a statue of Marianne, a French symbol. Many residents looked on quietly as police stayed nearby.

Jean Foissy, 74, said the protest route felt blocked by riot police. Jean Foissy said fires were visible and Jean Foissy returned home. \"I was very scared,\" he said. \"Ive been a Parisian since I was born, so when I got here, it almost made me want to cry because I find it so bad, it hurts me.\"

Margaux Eude, 26, said Margaux Eude backed the protest cause. Margaux Eude said the situation went far beyond expectations. \"Its the troublemakers who came, and it breaks my heart because it delegitimises the movement,\" she said. Police maintained a strong presence as crowds moved through nearby streets.

France protests numbers, unions and yellow vest movement

Authorities said about 5,50,000 people joined protests across France. Organisers said about 8,00,000 people took part. Labour unions, student groups and activists made the calls. Some sought to revive the yellow vest movement from 2018. The protests focused on social pressure and public services.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote on X: \"The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not.\" Laurent Nuñez cited looting of hundreds of businesses. Cities mentioned included Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. Violence also broke out at the edges of peaceful marches.

The arrest total reported on Sunday neared levels seen during the yellow vest era. Nearly 2,000 arrests were recorded in one day in December 2018. Paris police said one person died from a heart attack. The statement did not give details. The Paris prosecutor’s office said it was investigating.

France protests damage, cities hit and mayor requests

Police said groups formed unauthorised marches in central Paris on Saturday. Police said conditions shifted by late afternoon. Police said many people arrived to steal and loot. Several mayors sought a meeting with the prime minister. The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon requested talks within days.

In Marseille, some protesters forced entry into the City Hall lobby for a short time. Another group in hoods and masks damaged a police station. In Lyon, a fire started inside a tourist office. In Limoges, Maurice Barate said City Hall was breached while people were inside. \"Despite the presence of so many people, they deliberately set the building on fire. It is an extremely serious and unspeakable act.\"

In eastern France, Mulhouse prosecutors said an inquiry began after a 17-year-old girl lost an eye. Another investigation opened on Saturday after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne. These cases came as police faced scrutiny over grenades. Police use of other crowd-control weapons also faced criticism during recent protests.

France protests politics, Macron critics and Trump post

Leaders across politics traded blame as next spring’s presidential election approached. Marine Le Pen accused Macron’s centrist government of weakness in a Sunday video. Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of \"playing with fire\". Mélenchon said \"by banking on degradation, you have only succeeded in uniting all youths and workers unions.\"

Mélenchon, who joined the Paris march on Saturday, added: \"my message is clear: those who share our fight have no business in looting or destruction.\" US President Donald Trump posted \"France is burning!\" on Truth Social. Trump also wrote: \"Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!\" French officials have not linked immigrants to the riots.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire described wide damage in an open letter. \"The scale of the damage is considerable and unprecedented,\" Emmanuel Grégoire wrote. Emmanuel Grégoire added: \"Paris is a city of freedoms, debate and demonstrations. It must remain so. But it must also be a city where everyone can work and run a business safely.\" Authorities continued investigations as leaders planned next steps.

With inputs from PTI