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Paris Police Use Tear Gas on Protesters, Arrest More Than 100

by VOA News

   Once again, protesters have descended on the most famous boulevard in
   Paris, the Champ Elysees, with police using tear gas, stun grenades and
   water cannons Saturday on demonstrators who have breached security
   posts.
   Officials said more than 100 people had been arrested Saturday in
   Paris, and the Reuters news service reported that six policemen and 14
   protesters had been injured.
   Some protesters piled wood and other debris near the Arc de Triomphe
   and lit it ablaze, police said.
   It is the third time in as many weeks demonstrators have taken their
   frustrations about escalating taxes, especially on gasoline, and the
   leadership of President Emmanuel Macron to the streets.
   Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that 5,000 police had been
   deployed around the city to help contain the protests.

   The Associated Press new service reports that all subway stations in
   and around the Champs Elysees have been closed for security concerns.
   Many of the protesters are wearing the yellow fluorescent vests that
   French drivers keep in their cars. The demonstrations have become known
   as the "yellow jacket" protests.
   About 36,000 people, including about 5,500 in Paris, were protesting
   around the country, Philippe said. Although officials said
   demonstrations and road blockades outside Paris were generally
   peaceful.
   Last week, the protests turned violent with the confrontations between
   the demonstrators and the police evoking memories of city's 1968 civil
   unrest.
   Officials say 8,000 people turned out for the protests in the City of
   Lights last week, with more than 100,000 mounting demonstrations across
   the country.
   Macron insists the fuel taxes are needed to reduce France's dependence
   on fossil fuels and to fund renewable energy investments.