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Police arrest 300 in Paris riots over economic crisis
Peter Allen in Paris20.03.09
MORE than 300 rioters were arrested in Paris as baton-wielding gangs clashed with police in protests over President Nicolas Sarkozy's handling of the financial crisis.
At least 10 police officers were seriously injured in the Place de la Nation, in the east of the French capital, where 85,000 people completed a largely peaceful protest.
Nationally, some three million showed their anger at President Sarkozy.
As fires were lit and shop windows smashed soon after 8pm last night, riot police unleashed rounds of tear gas at a mob of about 750 youths.
Fighting broke out on all corners of the square, with police snatch squads moving in to arrest ring leaders. Chants of "Sarkozy resign" were heard, as what appeared to be well organised gangs went on the rampage in surrounding streets, targeting banks and other symbols of capitalism.
By midnight there had been at least 300 arrests, with 49 charged with serious public order offences.
A report released by Paris police said 100 members of the mob had been "particularly violent" and were armed with batons and metal bars.
Disturbances broke out in other major cities, including Marseille and Toulouse, with tear gas and baton charges also being used to control crowds in Saint-Nazaire on the Brittany coast.
Earlier demonstrations combined with a general strike brought more than three million people on to the streets across the country, trade unions claimed.
While police estimates were lower the figure was expected to beat the two million who protested at the end of January. Schools, courts, post offices, universities and hospitals were closed, with public transport severely disrupted, as up to 200 marches were organised.
The latest strike has wide support across the country, with 75 per cent of those questioned in polls this week saying they feared for their future and supported industrial action.
President Sarkozy announced proposals, including tax breaks and social benefits, after January's strike but protesters said the £2.3billion deal was not enough.
He rejected mounting calls by unions and the opposition for him to suspend a 50 per cent cap on income tax, arguing it would drive wealthy taxpayers abroad. Many are angry that companies such as oil giant Total are making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits.
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Good for them.Although i dont condone violent attacks,i respect the french for standing up to these elite few.The english are all talk and no action.They would rather sit round an episode of eastenders than connect with the real world.How are we going to overthrow these bullies and restore humanity,and the economy,to its former self?Until peoples attitude changes and they get off their butts, it will never happen.One last thing.When all your civil liberties are taken away and you have to ask permmision to use your car or take the trash out, dont say i didnt warn you.The new world order isnt coming its here.Please research it now i beg you.
- Neil, sheffield,uk
Yes, but who in particular would we would Brits protest about? All the bankers/conmen/financial crooks/greedy politicians that have brought us to our knees? So which location would we choose/which group of people?
Can't see that targetting one man(Sarkozy) achieves anything,but still admire the French having the spirit/energy to show their feelings publicly..
- Susannah, Essex
France is meant to be a Republic, so why is it being run like the typical mob-rule Democracy we should all rightfully fear. Good on the French for protesting and fighting for their rights to have equal representation, which a true Republic demands under rule of law. Sarkozy doesn't represent the French people, he only represents corporate and banking interests like most of our shoddy puppet leaders do. France for the French people, not corporate greed.
- Ian Demontfort, London, England
