Police in Paris have fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters as a fourth weekend of anti‑government protests turned violent.
The clashes came after up to 8,000 demonstrators gathered in the city centre. More than 500 people have been taken into custody.
At least 55 people have been injured, including three police officers.
What breathing in tear gas looks like #giletsjaunes pic.twitter.com/ci6iyiRKSK
— Saskya Vandoorne (@SaskyaCNN) December 8, 2018
The "yellow vest" movement opposed fuel tax rises but ministers say it has been hijacked by "ultra‑violent" protesters.
Some 8,000 police officers and 12 armoured vehicles have been deployed in Paris, and nearly 90,000 officers were deployed countrywide.
Several thousand protestors on the champs according to Paris police #giletsjaunes pic.twitter.com/OnOXx7K76h
— Saskya Vandoorne (@SaskyaCNN) December 8, 2018
Last week, hundreds of people were arrested and scores injured in violence in Paris ‑ some of the worst street clashes in the French capital for decades.
Demonstrations are being held in several other cities including Lyon, Marseille and Grenoble, where a local leader of the yellow vests is reported to have been arrested.
Protests against climate change are also taking place in Paris and other locations across the country.
There have been a number of confrontations in Paris. Some protesters have been seen smashing shop fronts, painting walls with graffiti and setting fire to cars.
Video footage showed one demonstrator being hit in the torso with a rubber bullet while standing in front of a line of police with his hands up. At least three members of the press were also hit.
🇫🇷
— Alessandro 7 (@AlessandroCere7) December 8, 2018
Incredibile!
Questa è la mobilitazione nella piccola #SaintEtienne.
E le TV parlano parlano di 35000 manifestanti in tutta la #Francia pic.twitter.com/Vzl5Qus3NM
[Source: BBC]
