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
The closures are likely to cost thousands of euros in lost revenues as shoppers stay clear for a second consecutive weekend in the run-up to Christmas, following scenes of burning barricades and cars last Saturday.
Six Ligue 1 football games, one involving Paris Saint-Germain, have been postponed.
- 'BRINK OF INSURRECTION' -
The government this week scrapped planned fuel tax hikes planned for January -- one of the protesters' core demands -- and announced a string of other measures designed to help low-income families.
The climbdown over the fuel tax -- intended to help France transition to a greener economy -- marks a major departure for Macron, who has previously vowed not to be swayed, like previous presidents, by large street protests.
Prominent "yellow vest" Benjamin Cauchy has urged Macron to meet a delegation of protesters to defuse a situation that he said had brought France "to the brink of insurrection and civil war".