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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)
(35 minutes later)
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. Police unleash tear gas and water cannons on projectile throwing protesters in Paris, as the ‘Yellow Vest’ upheaval against fuel prices turns areas of the French capital into the war zones.
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. The iconic Champs Elysee filled with smoke as crowds of protesters attempted to move closer to the presidential palace, throwing bottles and stones at police. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannons.
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. Several vehicles and outdoor structures have been set on fire adding to the smoke... even the Arc de Triomphe was barely visible through the thick fumes. Demonstrators maneuvered past smoking projectiles as clashes continued. Police have already arrested at least 42 people in Paris.
RT’s correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij has been caught in the midst of the rally and pushed to the area gas-filled area. RT correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij was caught in the midst of the rally and pushed into the gas-filled area.
“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.“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.
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.”  In addition to putting the city center almost on lockdown, the chaos spilled into the subway and disrupted traffic, several stations were closed entirely as a result of “malicious acts.” 
Barricades were erected along major roads, some being smashed by thick spray from water cannons that sent demonstrators fleeing.
Some 8,000 protesters went out into the Paris streets, while over 100,000 people rallied throughout the country with nearly 130 being 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 buy Christmas presents for his grandchildren because taxes are already too high. He also complained that the authorities responded to protests with “violence” and “gas”, provoking “hatred” that people had not felt before the intense response.
 Barricades were erected throughout the protest area with some being smashed by thick sprays from the water cannon that sent demonstrators fleeing. Another protester said that 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.
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. Chants against Macron have been heard throughout the protests, just as they had been during demonstrations last week where around 200 people were injured and over 100 were arrested. One woman died after being run over by a panicked driver who was surrounded by demonstrators. 
“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. The unease has been spurred by rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax. The ‘Yellow Vest’ movement, as it’s called, is protesting a measure which is due to be put in place January 1, 2019. The government claims the move is aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices, but the proposal has been met with fierce response from the public.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, particularly his handling of the economic situation, have already triggered multiple protests throughout France. The French leader faces plummeting approval ratings amid social discontent with his reforms, such as tax relief for businesses coupled with cuts to pensioners benefits. 
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.
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.
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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