Dec 2, 2018

Macron visits defaced Arc de Triomphe after Paris riots

Photo: Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday — one day after it was covered with graffiti from protestors who are furious with the country's fuel tax hike and high living costs, AP reports.

The backdrop: This was the third weekend in a row Paris has experienced riots involving activists who wear fluorescent yellow vests, and Saturday's demonstration in the city center was one of the worst in a generation.

Details: The movement started in early November, first centered around a fuel tax increase, though it's now ballooned into a larger push against French policies that the protestors say favor the rich and wealthy, CNBC reports.

  • On Saturday, 133 people were injured and 412 arrested, according to Paris police.
  • 23 police officers were injured in the disturbances.

What to watch: Macron held an emergency Cabinet meeting Sunday and has considered ordering a state of emergency across the country.

Cars were left in the streets. Remnants were charred.

Charred car in Paris from the riots
Photo: Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images.

Go deeper: Emmanuel Macron's approval rating dips below 20%

Go deeper