The French President Emmanuel Macron has been ushered in to the New Year with a continuation of last year’s Yellow Vest violent protest across the country France, as major cities erupt in violent protests over his Government policies.
According to report, protesters in their thousands demonstrated across big cities such as Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille, which is a continuation of what happened last year.
In Paris, 3,500 people participated in protests on Saturday, much higher than the 800 who took to the streets last week, police said. At least 34 people were taken in for questioning in the capital city.
Benjamin Griveaux, government spokesman, confirmed that he and his team had to evacuate his office in Paris after demonstrators broke into his courtyard by knocking down the door with construction machinery.
Violence was reported in Montpellier and Troyes, where demonstrators tried to enter prefectures, and in Avignon, where some attempted to break into the Court of Justice. Violence was also reported in Beauvais, authorities said.
The protests are named after the yellow high-visibility jackets French motorists must carry in their vehicles.
They have morphed from dissent over rising gas prices and eco-taxes into a broader demonstration against French President Emmanuel Macron and his government, and tensions between the metropolitan elite and rural poor.
French President Emmanuel Macron who has earlier condemned the protest and also agreed to shift grounds on some of his policies, on wages and benefits taxes in a message said:
as protest erupt across France
“I call on everybody to be responsible and respect the rule of law,”
“Once again, extreme violence has come to attack the Republic-its guardians, its representatives, its symbols. Those who commit these acts forget the heart of our civic pact. Justice will be done. Everyone has to come together to bring about the debate and dialogue” He said.