SONNA – Protests in France after the police killing of a teen earlier this week, entered a fifth straight night Saturday with clashes between protesters and police, and allegations of involvement by far-right groups.
Footage on social media depicted protesters setting fires at various locations throughout Paris.
Demonstrators launched fireworks at police in the capital while simultaneously setting barricades ablaze in the popular neighborhood of Barbes.
As the iconic Champs-Elysees Avenue once again became crowded with protesters following a recent evacuation, the heightened presence of police forces drew attention.
Twitter footage showed protesters in Paris launching fireworks at patrolling motorcycle officers, forcing them to retreat.
Police maintained patrols around the partially evacuated tourist hotspot of Champs-Elysees Avenue but clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators erupted on narrow streets as they attempted to prevent looting and vandalism.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrived at a crisis center in Paris and that operates under the Interior Ministry in response to the incidents.
“I have come here to reaffirm my full support and that of my government to them,” Borne wrote on Twitter. “Tonight, 45,000 police officers and gendarmes, along with thousands of firefighters, are mobilized to protect and uphold public order.”
The residence of Mayor Vincent Jeanbrun of L’Hay-les-Roses was targeted with a burning vehicle.
Jeanbrun’s family was injured and in shock, he said, as he condemned the “assassins” on Twitter.
Videos online show chaotic scenes unfolding in various cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg and Nice.
In Strasbourg, Rennes and Venissieux, masked protesters targeted police with fireworks after attempts by officers to intervene in the protests.
Marseille also witnessed multiple injuries as the police allegedly fired rubber bullets to suppress the protests.
Protesters burst into a car dealership and made off with several vehicles, while two officers were injured after being hit by fireworks launched by protesters.
In Montpellier, police raided a store as it was being looted in an attempt to apprehend the looters.
A police car collided with a masked protester in the middle of the road in Maubeuge as cars were being set on fire. Officials initiated a pursuit of the fleeing protester.
Also, in Strasbourg, protests reignited, with demonstrators launching fireworks at law enforcement officers.
Special forces units deployed armored vehicles to intervene and quell the unrest.
Protests escalated in Rennes with masked groups throwing fireworks at the police.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi reported that a store was looted by a “gang of young individuals.”
Estrosi said looters were apprehended by police thanks to surveillance cameras.
French broadcaster BFMTV reported that several mayors requested more assistance from the government to restore order.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 427 people were detained across the country late Saturday.
Source: Anadol
