French President, Emmanuel Macron has condemned in its strongest terms, the violent protest in Paris on Saturday, saying as much as citizens have rights to protest, there is no reason for protesters to loot shops, burn down buildings or threatened Journalist.
Emmanuel Macron who is attending the G20 summit, in his statement released a few hours ago, pointed accusing fingers at the opposition, whom he said are struggling with change, and do not want change that will be of benefits to all. He said:
“What happened in Paris today has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of legitimate anger.
There is no reason why the security forces should be attacked, that shops should be looted, that public or private buildings be burned, that passersby or journalists be threatened, that the triumphal arch should be defiled.
The culprits of this violence do not want change, want no improvement, they want chaos: they betray the causes they claim to serve and manipulate. They will be identified and held accountable for their actions before the courts.
From tomorrow on my return, I convened an interdepartmental meeting with the competent services. I will always respect the challenge, I’ll always listen to the opposition, but I’ll never accept violence.
I will always respect the challenge, I’ll always listen to the opposition, but I’ll never accept violence.” he said
President Emmanuel Macron statement is coming after French citizens of “gilets jaune” or “yellow vest” movement took to the streets to demonstrate against rising gas prices and taxes on polluting forms of transport. The protest later turned violent, as they clashed with the Police, leading to the arrest of over 200 protesters.
Saturday’s protests marked the third consecutive week of such demonstrations, although with an estimated 36,500 participants across the country.
Many protesters are angry with Macron for extending the environmental policies that were first implemented by former President François Hollande.