Yellow vest movement: Violence hits Paris again, police fire tear gas
Paris, Dec 8 (IBNS): The anti-government demonstration in Paris turned violent as police fired tear gas on protesters on Saturday, media reports said.
The clashes erupted after up to 8,000 demonstrators gathered in the city centre. More than 500 people have been taken into custody, reported BBC.
Police told BBC that 30 people have been injured in the capital, including three police officers.
The demonstration in Paris is known as "yellow vest" movement.
However, ministers have said that it has been hijacked by "ultra-violent" protesters.
Les forces de l'ordre et de secours interviennent systématiquement pour limiter les dégradations et empêcher la formation de barrages.
— Ministère de l'Intérieur (@Place_Beauvau) December 8, 2018
Facilitez la progression des véhicules et, si vous êtes à proximité des rassemblements, soyez particulièrement prudents #8Décembre pic.twitter.com/TD4FQDyEgG
Some 8,000 police and 12 armoured vehicles were deployed in the capital city to prevent violence.
Violence hit Paris last week as well when hundreds of people were arrested and scores were injured, reports said.
The protesters engaged in this incident are known as "gilets jaunes", meaning yellow vests, often referred in English as the "yellow jackets". The protesters have been seen wearing high-visibility clothing on the street. The clothing is carried in every vehicle, following French law. The first nationwide protest took place on Nov 17.
The Macron government had earlier refused to yield. Last week, the President said, "I understand the demands of these citizens, but I won't give in to those who want destruction and disorder."
No identifiable leader could be seen leading the protest, which has gained momentum through social media.
Anti-government protests had engulfed France since President Emmanuel Macron hiked fuel tax as part of steps to fight climate change.
#8décembre : Des violences sont en cours à #Paris. Le dispositif de sécurité mobile mis en place permet de contrer ces actes en repoussant et en interpellant les casseurs. pic.twitter.com/HbA7w5MMQ6
— Ministère de l'Intérieur (@Place_Beauvau) December 8, 2018
Keeping in mind the protests in the city, several iconic building in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower remained closed on Saturday.
The French administration has blinked in the face of the Yellow Jacket protests with France Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday declaring a roll back of the fuel tax hike that had resulted in violent protests across the country, latest reports said.
According to the BBC, the suspension in the tax hike will be in place for six months. Philippe said the people's anger must be heard and the measures would only be implemented after debate with the affected people.
Fuel stations were running dry in France on Monday with "Yellow Jacket" protesters blocking access to the Total company's 11 fuel depots, reports said, adding that the stocks of several companies fell as a result of the situation.
Image: French Ministère de l'Intérieur Twitter page
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
