Rioters surged through Paris on Saturday, hurling Molotov cocktails at police as protesters in Lyon burned U.S. and Israeli flags.
Massive Crowd Gathers, Police Deploy
Le Monde reported 320,000 demonstrators gathered on the outskirts of Paris for a march that began peacefully, with many participants in Halloween costumes, while police massed to keep order.
Clashes Erupt at Charenton
As the march reached its end, police ordered dispersal, prompting black‑clad protesters to hurl hammers, paving stones and Molotov cocktails at officers, injuring several officers.
Video captured a Molotov explosion at Port de Charenton, forcing officers to scramble and extinguish flames.
Spontaneous Chaos Spreads
Protesters set vehicles ablaze across Paris streets, and spontaneous groups continued to move through the city after police attempts to clear them.
Police Maintain Control
Authorities continued dispersing demonstrators into the evening, using water cannons in Toulouse and preventing looting in Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille and Lyon.
Minister Warns of Confrontation
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that his forces were ready for confrontation, announced the injured officer’s minor injuries, and banned masks after dark.
