French Protesters March Against Government, Violence Erupts in Some Cities

Hundreds of thousands of protesters once again took to the streets in France on Saturday. Demonstrations that began in Orléans, 120 kilometers from Paris, were mostly peaceful but turned violent in the evening. Police used tear gas and water cannon to control the crowds. Demonstrators took to the streets in support of their demands in Paris around 1,10,000 and across the country around 4,10,000 despite a ban on demonstrations. Police fired tear gas in Marseille, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and Strasbourg, while water cannons were fired in Nice and Nantes. Demonstrators attacked police with projectiles. According to Reuters, after the rally ended, riot police in Paris were stoned by more than 500 hooded protesters. Demonstrators in Marseille also threw large metal canisters on the streets and threw rocks at police.