Macron calls for calm after protests turn violent across France

French President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm and order” on Sunday after protests against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services gave way to rioting and looting across France. He said protesters’ “legitimate demands” must be distinguished from the actions of “those who destroyed, smashed and looted.”

About 550,000 people took part in largely peaceful demonstrations on Saturday, the BBC reported. By the end of the day, fires had been set and shops looted in Paris, Marseille and other cities. France’s Interior Ministry said nearly 2,400 people were arrested and about 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured. The BBC reported that seven of the injured officers were seriously hurt.

“We all feel anger and shame,” Macron said in a televised national address. He warned against further escalation and said “nothing justifies” the violence. According to Al Jazeera, he described the rioters’ actions as an attempt “to bring down the republic” and said those responsible would “pay for their crimes.”

Disorder continued on a smaller scale Sunday in parts of Paris and Lyon. Citing the AFP news agency, the BBC reported that police fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of people in Paris, while bottles and rocks were thrown at officers. Shopkeepers in the capital cleared broken glass as rubbish trucks removed debris. Looting also struck Marseille, Lille and other areas.

In Limoges, a fire started by rioters gutted the city’s ornate 19th-century city hall on Saturday, causing its roof and clock tower to collapse, the BBC reported. “Harming heritage buildings just because you are angry at the government is selfish, I think. It’s hurting everybody,” a woman identified as Annèyse told the BBC near the building.

Macron said local officials would draw up measures to protect shops and civic buildings, and promised “full transparency” over the police response. Police used tear gas and water cannon over the weekend, and riot officers were seen striking people with batons in several places, according to the BBC. Al Jazeera reported that Macron also pledged a crisis unit to provide urgent aid to people affected by the violence. He did not announce a state of emergency or curfew.

The protests began with students last month and grew on Saturday when trade union members and other anti-government groups joined them, the BBC reported. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said demonstrating was a fundamental right but blamed “several thousand far-left individuals” for attacks on public buildings and confrontations with police. He said others later joined in looting businesses.

Political opponents challenged the government’s handling of the unrest. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Nuñez and police chiefs of “complete incompetence,” according to the BBC. Al Jazeera reported that Mélenchon called the government “solely responsible” for the destruction. The BBC said far-right leader Marine Le Pen condemned political forces that encourage violence, while Al Jazeera reported that far-right politician Jordan Bardella called Macron’s address “lamentable” and “cowardly.”