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France

Yellow vest movement: Paris police detain hundreds of protesters

Source: BBC News:
December 8, 2018 at 11:10
AFP / Protesters were able to march some distance along the Champs-Elysées
AFP / Protesters were able to march some distance along the Champs-Elysées
Police in Paris have fired tear gas on protesters as a fourth weekend of anti-government protests turned violent.

The clashes came after up to 8,000 demonstrators gathered in the city centre. More than 500 people have been taken into custody.

At least 30 people have been injured in the capital, including three police officers.

The "yellow vest" movement opposed fuel tax rises but ministers say it has been hijacked by "ultra-violent" protesters.

Some 8,000 police and 12 armoured vehicles have been deployed in Paris, and nearly 90,000 countrywide.

Last week, hundreds of people were arrested and scores injured in violence in Paris - some of the worst street clashes in the French capital for decades. 

What is happening this weekend?

There have been a number of confrontations. Bins were set alight on the Champs-Elysées and cars were torched on Boulevard de Courcelles, about 2km (1.2 miles) north. 

A fireman stands next to a vehicle set on fire by protesters during Paris riots, 8 December 2018
Fire services are working to extinguish cars set on fire by protesters
 
Aerial view showing smoke rising near the Arc de Triomphe
AFP / GETTY IMAGES 
Smoke rises near the Arc de Triomphe
 

Water cannon were deployed on a street east of the city centre.

TV pictures have shown what appear to be far-right groups setting up barricades. Armoured vehicles are being sent to deal with them, and French media say this is the first time they have been deployed in metropolitan Paris.

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