IQN (NewsDesk): France woke on Sunday to scenes of heavy damage in Paris, with smashed shopfronts, burnt out cars, charred bicycles and piles of broken glass lining the pavements after a day of riots and demonstrations. At least one restaurant was gutted by fire, and the designer stores hit included Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Versace.
Around 550,000 people marched in largely peaceful demonstrations on Saturday, but groups of rioters later set fire to cars and buildings in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities. Police arrested at least 1,800 people across the country after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops. Officers used tear gas and water cannon to push back violent crowds in the capital.
The office of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported a growing number of violent incidents nationwide, including assaults on police officers, looting and damage to public buildings. In Limoges, the clock tower of the 143 year old town hall collapsed after rioters set the building alight. Paris police said one person died of a heart attack, and prosecutors are investigating.
President Emmanuel Macron warned that those behind the looting and attacks on public buildings will be prosecuted and punished, while far right and far left politicians traded blame for the violence. The marches drew hundreds of thousands of people angry about rising living costs and conditions in schools. Shopkeepers were out with brooms early on Sunday, beginning the clean up.
