"We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents
don’t happen again,” Griveaux told Europe 1 radio on Sunday morning.
When asked whether a state of emergency could be imposed, Griveaux replied: "All
options will be examined.”
This comes after a dozen cars were set on fire, buildings were torched, tear gas
was fired and water cannons were deployed in the French capital on Saturday in
scenes reminiscent of guerilla warfare.
The heavy clashes started on the Place de l’Etoile, at the foot of the Arc de
Triomphe, when groups of people tried to force their way through a police
checkpoint set up to prevent a planned "Yellow Vest” protest from turning
violent, like it had the previous week.
The situation escalated quickly with some of the 1,500 protesters ripping
cobblestones out of the paved road to throw at police officers.
Protesters, who chanted for President Emmanuel Macron to resign, also sat down
under the Arc — a significant symbol of the French Republic — to sing the
national anthem.
Police wrestled control of the area shortly after lunchtime but groups of men
then roamed central Paris, leaving wrecked cars and destruction behind them.
Overall 412 people were arrested and 133 were wounded including 23 law
enforcement officers. According to the Ministry of Interior, firefighters dealt
with 190 blazes including six buildings which were set on fire, Euronews
reported.
Meanwhile, dozens of peaceful protests got underway throughout the country.
The citizen "Yellow Vest” movement wants Macron to reverse his decision to
increase taxes on fuel.
The nationwide protest has been ongoing for more than two weeks with protesters
setting up road blockages to significantly slow down traffic and the delivery of
goods.
Discussions between the authorities and the "Yellow Vest” protesters have been
difficult because the citizen movement is not affiliated to any political group
or union and has no leadership structure. Furthermore, what started as a protest
over the price of petrol has now mutated into a crisis about spending power and
inequalities.
Source:Almanar