Rioting erupted throughout the French capital Wednesday as thousands of protesters demonstrated against “capitalism” during the annual May Day march, with nearly 8,000 police officers arresting over 160 people as of 2pm.
“Thugs from the so-called Black Bloc anti-capitalist movement were involved in running battles with police soon after 1pm. By 2pm, there had been 165 arrests in Paris, most for public order offenses related to the rioting,” reports the Daily Mail.
Eyewitnesses say local authorities used tear gas, rubber bullets, and other non-lethal weapons to control the growing crowd. Officials are warning residents the violence will likely get worse after sundown.
The chaos comes just days after a fire nearly destroyed France’s famed Notre Dame Cathedral and months after nationwide ‘Yellow Vest’ protests swept the country.
Read the full report at the Daily Mail.
New ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests ROCK Paris, 'Riots' Reported on Champs-Elysees
A new series of ‘Yellow Vest’ protests rocked Paris Saturday with authorities confirming reports of looting and violence along the iconic Champs-Elysees; marking the 18th week demonstrators have marched against the French government’s crippling taxes and lack of fuel across the country.
“French yellow vest protesters set life-threatening fires, smashed up luxury stores in Paris and clashed with police Saturday in the 18th straight weekend of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron. Large plumes of smoke rose above the rioting on Paris’ landmark Champs-Elysees avenue,” reports the Associated Press.
“The resurgent violence comes at a watershed moment for a movement, which had been fizzling in recent weeks, and at the end of a two-month-long national debate called by Macron that protesters say failed to answer their demands for economic justice,” adds the report.
BREAKING NOW: World Famous Notre Dame Cathedral ON FIRE in Paris
BBC News is reporting a massive blaze has engulfed the roof of the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France; saying the fire may be the result of recent renovations on the centuries old building.
“Images on social media show plumes of smoke billowing into the air above the the 850-year-old Gothic building,” reports the BBC. “Last year, the Catholic Church in France launched an urgent appeal for funds to save the cathedral, which was starting to crumble.”
#BREAKING Paris mayor laments "terrible fire" at Notre-Dame Cathedral pic.twitter.com/nuR68rHa7Z
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 15, 2019
Pictures from across Paris show Notre-Dame ablaze after the fire reportedly broke out in the building's attic https://t.co/S6GIzRSnKA pic.twitter.com/gksCsxOjYw
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 15, 2019
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.