A mayor's office with a destroyed roof, looted shops and dozens of injured people — these are the consequences of riots following protests against high prices. About 1,200 people were detained in France and more than 50 in Milan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
In the French city of Limoges, masked people burned a police car in front of the mayor's office, then smashed the building's windows, got inside and set it on fire. According to Le Parisien, the fire reached the roof, and shortly before 21:00 the tower collapsed. The building, opened in 1883 and recognized as a historical monument, became unfit for work. The mayor of Limoges, Guillaume Guérin, promised to ensure the operation of city services and to secure the detention of those responsible.
In Marseille, several dozen people broke into the hall of the mayor's office. In Lille, rioters also entered the city administration building and damaged the premises, La Dépêche writes.
In the French capital, clashes began even before the start of the main march. Some participants with covered faces threw bicycles and road signs at police officers and launched pyrotechnics. Security forces used tear gas. Near Place de la République, shops were looted, including Intersport.
According to government data, about 550,000 people took part in the actions across France. Organizers claimed 800,000. Late in the evening, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported about 1,200 detentions and 150 injured police officers and gendarmes, Le Monde reports.
In Italy, a separate march against high prices was organized by the Italia in Piazza movement. Participants also protested against low wages and problems in healthcare and public schools, Sky TG24 reports.
In Milan, clashes engulfed Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Masked people threw stones, metal barriers and pyrotechnics at security forces. One participant threw a fire extinguisher. When police retreated, rioters damaged a carabinieri vehicle and armored vans.
After reinforcements arrived, security forces cleared the square using tear gas and a water cannon. Some participants continued to resist and built barricades from trash cans and barriers.
According to ANSA, at least four police officers and about 20 demonstrators were injured. More than 50 people were detained, about half of them minors. Shop windows were smashed and stores looted in the city. Clashes also occurred in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said he understands the reasons for the discontent but condemned the pogroms.
"Violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are unjustified," he said.
Kursiv already wrote about these protests in France on October 17, when 272 detentions were reported. Later the number of detentions grew, and details of new arson and pogroms emerged.
The protest wave began with schoolchildren's demonstrations against the shortage of teachers and the poor condition of educational institutions. Then students, workers and "yellow vests" dissatisfied with rising prices and living standards joined them. At one demonstration, a participant came out with a poster threatening President Emmanuel Macron: "Louis XVI was beheaded. Macron, we can repeat it."