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Battlefield Paris: Police hit protesters with tear gas as massive fuel rallies grip France (VIDEO) Battlefield Paris: Police hit protesters with tear gas as massive fuel rallies grip France (VIDEO)
(about 1 hour later)
Police unleashed tear gas and a water cannon at bottle and projectile throwing protesters in Paris. Eight people were reportedly arrested as the ‘Yellow Vest’ rally against fuel price hikes almost had the city center on lockdown. Police unleashed tear gas and a water cannon at bottle and projectile throwing protesters in Paris. The upheaval of the ‘Yellow Vest’ rally against fuel price has put part of the French capital almost into the war zone.
The tense standoff between riot police and demonstrators – some of them masked – escalated as law enforcement were pelted with bottles. Police fired back with tear gas and water cannon spay.Some 3,000 police officers were deployed to the streets of the French capital, where around 8,000 protesters joined the ‘Yellow Vests’ rallies. The iconic Champs Elysee were filled with smoke as crowds of protesters attempted to move closer to the presidential palace, threw bottles and stones into police. The officers responded tear gas and water cannons.
At one point some streets in the city center resembled a battlefield, covered with what remained of the barricades, which were set up from fences and trash bins. Even the Arc de Triomphe was barely visible due to the thick smoke. Possible smoke grenades were also used as people walked past the smoking projectiles. Several vehicles and outdoor structures have been set on fire adding to the smoke. Even the Arc de Triomphe was barely visible due to the thick fumes. Possible smoke grenades were also used as people walked past the smoking projectiles. Police arrested 42 people in Paris.
A flipped vehicle was set ablaze at Champs Elysee, with police bringing in a water cannon to extinguish the fire. A nearby café’s outdoor tent was also seen in flames but it is unclear how the fire started. RT’s correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij has been caught in the midst of the rally and pushed to the area gas-filled area.
RT’s correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij has been caught in the midst of the rally as she was giving updates on the demonstration. “It makes your eyes red and it is really hard to open them. At this moment, they are just burning uncontrollably,” she shared in her live report.
Paris was not the only French city gripped by the protests on Saturday. Some 1,619 rallies attended by about 106,300 people were held across France, according to the Interior Ministry.
Footage from the scene also showed one of the protesters being dragged away by police in riot gear. At least 42 protesters were arrested in Paris throughout the day, Le Figaro reported citing Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. In total, 130 protesters were detained across France, according to the minister.
Apart from putting the city center almost on lockdown, the chaos spilled into the subway and disrupted traffic there as several stations were closed after “malicious acts.” Apart from putting the city center almost on lockdown, the chaos spilled into the subway and disrupted traffic there as several stations were closed after “malicious acts.” 
One of the videos from the unrest shows demonstrators chanting behind the improvised barricades before being forced to retreat as they were smashed by thick sprays from the water cannon.
 Barricades were erected throughout the protest area with some being smashed by thick sprays from the water cannon that sent demonstrators fleeing.
Some 8,000 protesters went out on Paris streets, while over 100,000 people rallied throughout the country with 130 arrested, according to the French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
“I have come to express my discontent,” an elderly protester told RT France, adding that, as a pensioner, he does not have enough money to by Christmas presents for his grandchildren because of the “too high taxes” already. He also complained that the authorities responded to protests with “violence” and “gas”, provoking “hatred” that people did not feel before.“I have come to express my discontent,” an elderly protester told RT France, adding that, as a pensioner, he does not have enough money to by Christmas presents for his grandchildren because of the “too high taxes” already. He also complained that the authorities responded to protests with “violence” and “gas”, provoking “hatred” that people did not feel before.
Another protester said that the people are angry and added that “the easiest way to resolve this conflict” is through a confidence vote in the form of a referendum. “Do the people want them [the government of President Emmanuel Macron] to stay or go?” the man asked rhetorically.Another protester said that the people are angry and added that “the easiest way to resolve this conflict” is through a confidence vote in the form of a referendum. “Do the people want them [the government of President Emmanuel Macron] to stay or go?” the man asked rhetorically.
Saturday marks the second week in a row that protests have been held in the French capital and across the country. At least 19 people, including four police officers were injured as a result of unrest this time. Chants against Macron have been heard throughout the protests as it was the case last week. Around 200 people were injured during then and over 100 were arrested. One woman died ran over by a panicked driver who was surrounded by demonstrators. 
The unease has been spurred on by rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax. The ‘Yellow Vest’ movement, as it’s called, is protesting the measure which is due to be in place from January 1, 2019. The government claims the move is aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices. However, that has been met with a fierce response from the public.The unease has been spurred on by rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax. The ‘Yellow Vest’ movement, as it’s called, is protesting the measure which is due to be in place from January 1, 2019. The government claims the move is aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices. However, that has been met with a fierce response from the public.
Chaotic scenes emerged during similar rallies last weekend, with one marred by a death. A woman tragically died during a demonstration in the southeastern region of Savoie as a panicked driver hit her after protesters surrounded the vehicle and began kicking at it. The driver then accelerated and knocked the woman down. Around 200 people were injured during the protests and over 100 were arrested.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, including his handling of the economic situation have already triggered multiple protests in France. The French leader also faced plummeting approval ratings amid social discontent with his reforms, such as tax relief for businesses while he plans to cut pensioner benefits. French President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, including his handling of the economic situation have already triggered multiple protests in France. The French leader also faced plummeting approval ratings amid social discontent with his reforms, such as tax relief for businesses while he plans to cut pensioner benefits. 
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