Violent protests ravaged Paris, France on Saturday when French citizens became upset about rising taxes and the high cost of living, USA Today reported. According to police, 133 were injured and 412 were arrested. This isn't the first time violent protests hit the capital. In fact, this is the third straight weekend that violence has taken place in Paris. The violence initially began on Nov. 17th when a gas tax increase was announced. The riots that took place this weekend, however, have been considered to be the worst one in a generation.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday visited the Arc de Triomphe monument, which was graffitied during the riots. Macron vowed to hold those responsible for the damage accountable.
Here's what Paris looks like:
Paris cleans up after Macron riots pic.twitter.com/vOaB36RjTj
— Jack Posobiec ???? (@JackPosobiec) December 2, 2018
Wow
— Ragip Soylu (@ragipsoylu) December 2, 2018
French Police is really getting out of control as demonstrators ransack and damage monumental areas in Parispic.twitter.com/7FbaBYZOX3
A video of the destroyed streets of Iraq after ISIS.
— Imam Tawhidi (@Imamofpeace) December 2, 2018
Actually, it’s Paris.pic.twitter.com/bAARzCLfof
Striking photos of the intensifying protests in Paris https://t.co/CVfLQrWa4t(Credit: Reuters, Getty) pic.twitter.com/d0XiMOW9YW
— Adrienne LaFrance (@AdrienneLaF) December 2, 2018
Macron is considering a #stateofemergency to respond to protests in Paris.
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) December 2, 2018
Watch the firefighters he will rely on turn their backs to their elected reps & political elite before walking out. They have had enough too. #pompiers #solidarite #1erDécembre pic.twitter.com/sM3P78eFkA
The movement is compromised of average working citizens and is referred to as the “Yellow Vests." According to the New York Times, their name comes from the yellow safety vests motorists are supposed to wear when they have a breakdown on the side of the road.
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