More weekend protests in France

More than 400,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living and cuts to public services

The government deployed around 70,000 police officers — some 20% more than last weekend — and roughly 1,000 people were arrested nationwide.

Marches were largely calm, though more than 500 so-called "casseurs" clashed with police at the end of the Paris cortege, which drew water cannon and tear gas.

Lyon, Marseille and Grenoble also saw sporadic looting and scuffles.

The CGT union put the national turnout at 800,000.

 

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