French authorities reported 272 arrests during demonstrations over living costs and school conditions, as clashes in Paris punctuated a wider day of protests across the country.
The Interior Ministry said the nationwide total had reached 272 by 9 a.m. ET (13:00 UTC) on Oct. 17. Le Monde reported that the Paris Police Prefecture put arrests in the city at 163 by 9:30 a.m. ET (13:30 UTC). In an X post, the Prefecture had reported 40 arrests across the Paris metropolitan area by 3:30 a.m. ET (07:30 UTC), mostly involving prohibited weapons or protective equipment. The counts cover different times and areas.
Officers dispersed groups at Place de la République with tear gas and water cannon, the Associated Press and Le Monde reported. The outlets said a procession on the route to Place de Clichy stayed calm even as clashes were reported nearby. The Associated Press also reported that a car and newspaper kiosk were set alight in Paris, and that fire affected a tourism office in Lyon.
The Associated Press reported that students and Yellow Vest activists joined unions at the demonstrations. Reuters said grievances included living costs, fuel prices, public services and school conditions. Reuters also reported that school protests began in September amid complaints about staffing and facilities, then widened to concerns about inequality, public spending and living standards. The Associated Press traced the Yellow Vest movement to 2018 protests against social injustice.
EconoTimes previously reported on the protests, citing an earlier tally of 166 arrests and nearly 33,000 participants.
President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm and respect” in Brussels on Oct. 16. AFP reported that he said protesters should respect other people and property while exercising their right to demonstrate.
