By Zoila Palma: Thousands of protesters took to the streets across France on Thursday, demanding higher wages and an increase in the minimum wage, but demonstrations were marred by violence that left 448 people arrested and 53 police officers injured, authorities reported.
According to the Interior Ministry, groups of radical protesters and left-wing extremists clashed with police in several major cities, including Rennes, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg.
Officers were attacked with stones, fireworks and improvised explosive devices as some demonstrators attempted to break away from the main protests and enter city centres. Violence was also reported in Paris, with authorities recording 86 incidents of arson nationwide, Yahoo reports.
Schools were also targeted, with reports of vandalism, fires and injuries among staff. In the Paris suburb of La Courneuve, a young man stabbed a student participating in a school blockade. In Toulouse, rioters entered a school, set a fire, vandalized classrooms and destroyed computers, while two secondary schools in Caen were badly damaged. A school in Lille was also evacuated after its entrance was set on fire.
The Interior Ministry estimated that 575,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, including 65,000 in Paris, while the CGT trade union federation placed the turnout at 1.6 million.
The post International News: Violent protests across France leave 448 people arrested appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Thousands of protesters took to the streets across France on Thursday, demanding higher wages and an increase in the minimum wage, but demonstrations were marred by violence that left 448 people arrested and 53 police officers injured, authorities reported. According to the Interior Ministry, groups of radical protesters and left-wing extremists clashed
The post International News: Violent protests across France leave 448 people arrested appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
