Protests Across Europe Turn Violent

Youth-led protests over living costs, education, inequality, public services and government policies took place across Europe during a third consecutive weekend, with the largest turnout in France. French authorities estimated 320,000 participants nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris, while organizers put the total closer to 500,000; more than 560 people were arrested. About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed, and security restrictions were imposed in some areas. Many marches were peaceful, but violence later broke out in several French cities, where masked groups attacked police with stones and incendiary devices; one officer reportedly suffered minor injuries after being set alight by a Molotov cocktail. In Germany, initially peaceful demonstrations gave way to clashes, vandalism and looting in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin, prompting arrests and police use of water cannon; youth-led demonstrations also took place in Italy, and officials stressed the distinction between peaceful protest and violence.