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France is starting a new week with thousands under arrest after a weekend of violent protests
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and President Emmanuel Macron promising a crackdown. Police fired tear gas as clashes
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continued in Paris Sunday. The worst violence came Saturday when what began as largely peaceful
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protests over the cost of living and conditions in French schools gave way to rioting and looting
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In central France, flames tore through a 19th-century city hall in Limoges, destroying much of the building
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And in Lyon, a historic tourist office was left a burned-out shell
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At least two people died in connection with the weekend unrest. Authorities report nearly 2,400 arrests and hundreds of injured police officers
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Macron addressed the country Sunday night, promising to hold rioters accountable. But he also acknowledged that many of the protesters had legitimate grievances
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and said his government would meet with students, teachers and union representatives this week
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He's also promising to work on lowering gas prices. The political fallout is growing
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Far-right leader Marine Le Pen blames the far-left for encouraging the violence
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Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, in turn, blames the government's handling of the protests
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France's prime minister is expected to meet with mayors from several major cities
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as officials work to repair the damage. And unions are already calling for another day of mass demonstrations on November 5th
