Brutal arrest of French students may lead to another protests
Footage showing the brutal arrest of high school students protesting outside Paris is causing a stir ahead of further anti-government protests this weekend. The footage, which has been shared widely on social media, has prompted trade unions and far-left parties to lash out at perceived police brutality. The images, which were filmed Thursday at Mantes-la-Jolie, showed a group of students on their knees with their hands behind their head. They are being watched over by armed police officers whose faces are hidden by ski masks. In one of the videos, a police officer can be heard saying: "Here is a class that behaves well."
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 07 December 2018
- Modified Date: 03:03 | 07 December 2018
Hailing mostly from rural and small-town France, they say Macron is out of touch with ordinary people. Many are calling on him to resign.
Farmers have also called for demonstrations every day next week, while two truck driver unions plan an indefinite sympathy strike from Sunday night.
Four people have died in accidents during the "yellow vest" protests and political leaders from across the spectrum have appealed for calm.
But many "yellow vests" are urging fresh protests this weekend, saying a string of government concessions are not enough.
An interior ministry official told AFP that authorities were bracing for "significant violence" Saturday, based on indications that protesters on both the far right and far left are planning to converge on Paris.
The Eiffel Tower and scores of shops on the Champs-Elysees will be closed Saturday as a precaution, as will major museums including the Louvre.