Paris protests: Police deploy water cannon as gilets jaunes activists burn trees in French capital

Seventeen police officers among 135 injured during unrest across France

Police deploy water cannons and rubber bullets as gilets jaunes activists burn cars in French capital

More than 1,000 people were arrested across France as security forces deployed tear gas and water cannon to tackle anti-government protests.

Rioters hurled missiles, torched cars and trees and vandalised shops and restaurants as the ‘gilets jaunes’ staged their fourth weekend of demonstrations.

The violence also spread to Amsterdam and Brussels, where a crowd attempted to reach the European Union headquarters and other official buildings.

In Paris an estimated 10,000 people marched up a Champs-Elysees decked out in pink Christmas lights and police charged protesters on horseback. A total of 620 people were arrested in the French capital alone.

Rioting also broke out in Marseilles, Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse, although the nationwide demonstrations were generally much more peaceful than a week ago.

As darkness fell, interior minister ​Christophe Castaner announced that the violence was “under control” but condemned it as “totally unacceptable”.

He said 135 people, including 17 police officers, were injured across the country and vowed that the security forces would remain vigilant overnight as there were reports of groups of youths looting shops.

The “yellow vests” movement – a reference to the fluorescent safety outfit French motorists keep in their cars – began on 17 November as a backlash to a rise in fuel taxes.

They have since come to encompass general anger and disillusionment with President Emmanuel Macron’s government and high living costs. Four people have died during the protests so far.

Amid warnings that far-right, anarchist and anti-capitalist groups would try to hijack the demonstrations, nearly 90,000 police and other security personnel were deployed across the country from 4am on Saturday.

Shops, restaurants and cafes were boarded up and shuttered while tourist destinations such as The Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the Paris Opera were also closed.

Donald Trump reacted to reports of rioting in the French capital by suggesting that the unrest could be blamed on the 2015 Paris climate change agreement. He also claimed that protesters were shouting “We want Trump”.

If you want to read how events unfolded, read our live coverage below.

Key Points

• Seventeen police officers among 135 people hurt in Paris
• Police have fired tear gas at protesters in the French capital
• Water cannon deployed as demonstrators set trees on fire 
• May Bulman reports from Paris
• Protests spread to Belgium and the Netherlands

[8 December 2018 11:32 · Zamira Rahim]

France's Interior Minister has said that "radicalised and rebellious people" may hijack Saturday's protests.

"Some ultra-violent people want to take part," Christophe Castaner said.

[8 December 2018 11:41 · Zamira Rahim]

Residents in Paris have been told to remain at home if at all possible.

Dozens of streets in the city have been closed to traffic and many shops are closed and boarded up to prevent looting. 

[8 December 2018 11:48 · Zamira Rahim]

May Bulman, The Independent's social affairs correspondent, is reporting on the protests from Paris: 

[8 December 2018 11:54 · Zamira Rahim]

More than 500 protesters have been detained in Paris, a police spokesperson said.

[8 December 2018 11:58 · Zamira Rahim]

Read Nabila Ramdani's piece on how social inequality is fueling the "yellow vest" protests: 

[8 December 2018 12:02 · May Bulman]

Sandine, mother of six, who lives on the outskirts of Paris, tells me she’s here because “France is going downhill”. She feels there is little hope for her children’s future. She voted for Macron in the election but now regrets her choice. “He is part of the rich,” she says https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dt5JSLNWsAAEbbc.jpg

[8 December 2018 12:06 · May Bulman]

A stand-off has ensued between protesters and the police, who have blocked off the route to the Champs Elysées where people were heading. Tear gas has been fired. I’ve now removed myself from this area

[8 December 2018 12:09 · Zamira Rahim]

The Gendarmarie Nationale, one of France's national police forces, has posted a video on Twitter showing officers tackling a protester to the ground. 

The clip shows police officers confiscating what appears to be a tennis racket from the man. 

[8 December 2018 12:13 · Zamira Rahim]

Stringent security measures are in place in Paris, where 8,000 police officers are on the streets. 

Officers are searching people and frisking bags every hundred metres throughout central Paris.  

City authorities have also deployed barricade-busting armored vehicles, in a bid to control further unrest. 

[8 December 2018 12:21 · Zamira Rahim]

Protesters have thrown flares and projectiles in central Paris but have been pushed back by police officers using tear gas.

Armoured vehicles and rows of riot police prevented crowds from marching towards the Elysee Palace, the seat of presidential power.

The building has been surrounded by a ring of steel barriers.