nivek
As Above So Below
Paris erupts again: Tear gas and water cannon are fired at 'yellow vest' rioters as 'Day of Rage' clashes lead to more than 700 arrests - with protests now spreading across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam
Riots in Paris have turned violent as armed police failed to quell thousands of 'yellow vest' protesters demonstrating over living costs and proposed tax rises in France, despite more than 700 arrests by midday today. French police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and Emmanuel Macron.
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as protesters continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax. Cars were flipped and set ablaze, smoke bombs were launched and tri-colour flags waved in defiance as heavily amoured police fought back in a bid to keep control of the city streets.
The rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to tackle more violent demonstrations.
Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image.
Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city.
Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood.
Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968.
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season.
The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down.
The yellow vest movement - named after the fluorescent outerwear French drivers must keep in their vehicles - started as a protest against higher taxes for diesel and gas, but quickly expanded to encompass wide frustration at stagnant incomes, the rising cost of living and other grievances.
- Paris is on lockdown as armed police battle to contain 'yellow vest' demonstrators with more than 700 arrests
- 8,000 police were deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem when rioters wreaked havoc
- Shops were boarded up to avoid looting and street furniture and construction site materials were removed
- More than 700 demonstrators have been arrested today, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said
Riots in Paris have turned violent as armed police failed to quell thousands of 'yellow vest' protesters demonstrating over living costs and proposed tax rises in France, despite more than 700 arrests by midday today. French police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and Emmanuel Macron.
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as protesters continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax. Cars were flipped and set ablaze, smoke bombs were launched and tri-colour flags waved in defiance as heavily amoured police fought back in a bid to keep control of the city streets.
The rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to tackle more violent demonstrations.
Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image.
Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city.
Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood.
Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968.
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season.
The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down.
The yellow vest movement - named after the fluorescent outerwear French drivers must keep in their vehicles - started as a protest against higher taxes for diesel and gas, but quickly expanded to encompass wide frustration at stagnant incomes, the rising cost of living and other grievances.
