France: 1 injured in Yellow Vest protests

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS

Yellow Vest protesters took to the streets in the French capital of Paris and other cities on Saturday for an eighth consecutive week of demonstrations against high living costs and President Emmanuel Macron.

The street marches -- which began peacefully in Paris -- turned violent in the afternoon as protesters threw stones at riot police blocking bridges over the Seine River.

Police used tear gas to prevent the demonstrators trying to reach the National Assembly. One riverboat, as well as vehicles and barricades on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, were set ablaze.

Clashes also erupted between police and demonstrators in western Nantes city. At least one person was seriously injured during the protests, in which police fired tear gas.

According to police, 25,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country, of which 3,500 protesters in Paris. 18 people were also arrested.

Yellow Vest protests

The Yellow Vest protests, which started as a reaction to fuel tax hikes and evolved into a protest against French President Emmanuel Macron, have continued despite the government’s call for them to halt.

Since Nov. 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests -- dubbed the Yellow Vests -- have gathered in major French cities, including the capital Paris, to protest Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.

Demonstrators held protests blocking roads and traffic, and also blocked the entrance and exits to many gas stations and factories across the country.

The protesters, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, have called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and ease their economic difficulties.

Under pressure from the protests, Macron announced a in the minimum wage and also scuttled controversial fuel tax hikes.

At least 10 people died, over 4,000 others were detained, and more than a thousand others were wounded in the protests.