World Morning Star
Paris sees calm following curfew to quell protests
PARIS saw relative calm today after its first quiet night since a weekend of France’s biggest unrest in years, as curfews were enforced in several cities. At least 2,400 people were arrested across Fr
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At least 2,400 people were arrested across France on Saturday after some protesters set cars on fire, stormed public buildings and engulfed a historic city hall in flames in response to police violence, amid nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.
In the capital, a curfew ran from 11pm on Monday to 6am today, with a police helicopter circling Place de la Republique overnight.
Workers removed a giant fluorescent yellow vest draped over the square’s statue, a reference to the 2018 fuel price protests that shook Emmanuel Macron’s first term.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that further curfews would be imposed “wherever the situation requires.”
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said more than 800 of those arrested have been sent before prosecutors. H added that he had asked prosecutors to appeal any sentence they considered too lenient.
In Lille, three men with no criminal record were each sentenced to 10 months for allegedly looting a video game store.
The National Assembly is launching an inquiry into the violence and the authorities’ policing strategy, with findings expected by the end of the year.
Rising fuel costs, discontent with schools, declining public services, a housing crisis and anger at the priority given to military spending are fuelling an autumn of protests across Europe.
Teachers in Madrid began an indefinite strike last week, while tent camps have sprung up in Spanish and Portuguese cities over housing costs.
Spain’s minimum wage is €1,221 (£1,025) while the average monthly rent for an 80-square-metre apartment is around €1,130 (£950).
In Italy, the “Italia in Piazza” movement has drawn thousands demanding better employment, healthcare and housing, followed by riots in Turin, Bologna and Milan, where 271 people were arrested. A new “Oct 17 Movement” has announced weekly Saturday demonstrations.
Right-wing politicians have reacted angrily.
US President Donald Trump asserted that immigrants were responsible for the destruction, writing on Monday: “The migrants have taken over France. They must CLOSE THE BORDERS, FAST!”
He provided no evidence for his claim.
In Albania, anti-government protests have stretched over a week, with students joining the “Flamingo” movement calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign over corruption and a luxury tourism development linked to Mr Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.