France is reeling after violent protests triggered looting, arson and clashes across cities, leaving a historic town hall gutted, businesses damaged and 1,800 people arrested nationwide.

<p>France is reeling after violent protests triggered looting, arson and clashes across cities, leaving a historic town hall gutted, businesses damaged and 1,800 people arrested nationwide.</p>

PICS | France reels after violent protests leave trail of destruction, 1,800 arrested

<p>The trade unions in France are leading strikes on Thursday (Oct 2) to continue mounting pressure on newly elected Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The strikes are being held to get the new French PM to consider budget cuts and impose a new wealth tax on the rich in France. The strikes are follow-up to the September 18 action by the trade unions to oppose the taxes which led to the fall of Lecornu's predecessor François Bayrou. The new PM, who was elected on September 9, is yet to announce the government.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-protests-unions-teachers-students-take-to-the-streets-in-france-1758216926847/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-protests-unions-teachers-students-take-to-the-streets-in-france-1758216926847/embed</a>&nbsp;</p><h2>What are trade unions demanding in France?</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The trade unions are demanding tax and social justice in France. They had led demonstrations on September 18, which saw 500,000 to 1 million people taking part, according to figures from police and trade unions. Aurelie Gagnier, the co-general secretary of the FSU-SNUipp education union, told France Info: "The workers we meet support the need for more tax justice and social justice and recognise the need for a budget that addresses schools’ needs.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Thursday (Oct 2) strikes had 240 marches planned in various towns and cities with 70,000 police and security personnel put on duty across the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What is new PM Lecornu about budget?</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lecornu will be meeting with the Socialists on Friday (Oct 3) after rejected a proposal to impose 2 per cent tax on France's 0.01 per cent wealthiest people. The new PM has the momentous task of coming up with France's 2026 budget as the first job after being elected as the Prime Minister. He is considered a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to make his first speech in the Parliament next week, with a government announcement to follow soon. Lecornu has said that he aims for a budget deficit of about 4.7 per cent on GDP in 2026 in comparison to the forecast of 5.4 per cent for this year.</p>

The trade unions are demanding tax and social justice in France. They had led demonstrations on September 18, which saw 500,000 to 1 million people taking part, according to figures from police and trade unions. 

The trade unions in France are leading strikes on Thursday (Oct 2) to continue mounting pressure on newly elected Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The strikes are being held to get the new French PM to consider budget cuts and impose a new wealth tax on the rich in France. The strikes are follow-up to the September 18 action by the trade unions to oppose the taxes which led to the fall of Lecornu's predecessor François Bayrou. The new PM, who was elected on September 9, is yet to announce the government. https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-protests-unions-teachers-students-take-to-the-streets-in-france-1758216926847/embed What are trade unions demanding in France? The trade unions are demanding tax and social justice in France. They had led demonstrations on September 18, which saw 500,000 to 1 million people taking part, according to figures from police and trade unions. Aurelie Gagnier, the co-general secretary of the FSU-SNUipp education union, told France Info: "The workers we meet support the need for more tax justice and social justice and recognise the need for a budget that addresses schools’ needs.” The Thursday (Oct 2) strikes had 240 marches planned in various towns and cities with 70,000 police and security personnel put on duty across the country. What is new PM Lecornu about budget? Lecornu will be meeting with the Socialists on Friday (Oct 3) after rejected a proposal to impose 2 per cent tax on France's 0.01 per cent wealthiest people. The new PM has the momentous task of coming up with France's 2026 budget as the first job after being elected as the Prime Minister. He is considered a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to make his first speech in the Parliament next week, with a government announcement to follow soon. Lecornu has said that he aims for a budget deficit of about 4.7 per cent on GDP in 2026 in comparison to the forecast of 5.4 per cent for this year.

<p>The trade unions are demanding tax and social justice in France. They had led demonstrations on September 18, which saw 500,000 to 1 million people taking part, according to figures from police and trade unions.&nbsp;</p>

France trade unions hold fresh strikes as wait continues for new government under PM Lecornu

<p>A nationwide protests was organised in France on Thursday (Sep 18) to oppose President Emmanuel Macron's austerity policies amid political instability in the country. Over 80,000 police and gendarmes have been mobilised across France, supported by drones, armoured vehicles, and water cannons. The interior ministry projected that 600,000 to 900,000 people would join the nationwide protests. By Thursday noon, around 76,500 had participated, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noting the demonstrations were "less intense than anticipated," AFP reported.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Read More | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/france-to-deploy-three-rafale-fighter-jets-to-help-protect-polish-airspace-macron-says-1757643632749"><strong>France to deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace, Macron says</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Why are the protesters angry</strong></h2><p>Protesters disrupted public transport and schools were closed down as they took to the streets. Clashes were also reported with the police. Police in Paris and Marseille used tear gas to disperse protesters. In Lyon, a France TV journalist and a police officer were injured during clashes. In Lille, protesters blocked bus depots. "The aim is to show the government that we're here, that we're fed up with being taxed like crazy," a protester was quoted by AFP.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Read More | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-macron-can-resign-or-he-will-be-impeached-french-government-falls-after-pm-loses-confidence-vote-what-s-happening-1757351910555"><strong>'Macron can resign or he will be impeached': French government falls after PM loses confidence vote - What's happening</strong></a></p><h2>Why people are angry at Macron?</h2><p>Public anger toward President Emmanuel Macron has been building since early 2023, when his government pushed through a deeply unpopular pension reform—raising the retirement age—without a parliamentary vote. This sparked months of protests and unrest. Now, with only 18 months left in office and facing record-low approval ratings, Macron is seen by many as the root cause of the country’s political and social turmoil. Critics like Jean-Luc Mélenchon have openly blamed him for the current chaos, saying his actions have directly led to the unrest.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A draft 44-billion-euro ($52-billion) cost-saving budget by the French government has been a major reason that former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faced massive outrage. Now, the new PM Sebastien Lecornu is also facing the same heat. More so as Lecornu is former defence minister and close Macron ally. Authorities fear further escalation, with concerns that violent groups could hijack protests—prompting police to urge central Paris businesses to close during demonstrations. An earlier protest on September 10 fell short of its goal to "block everything," but the latest unrest suggests Macron’s policies continue to inflame tensions nationwide.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Read More | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-government-falls-after-prime-minister-francois-bayrou-loses-confidence-vote-1757354713736"><strong>French Government Falls After Prime Minister Francois Bayrou Loses Confidence Vote</strong></a></p>

France saw nationwide protests and strikes on Sept 18 against Macron’s austerity policies. Public transport, schools, and pharmacies were disrupted. Over 76,000 protested by noon, with clashes in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Anger grows over cost-cutting and tax burdens.

A nationwide protests was organised in France on Thursday (Sep 18) to oppose President Emmanuel Macron's austerity policies amid political instability in the country. Over 80,000 police and gendarmes have been mobilised across France, supported by drones, armoured vehicles, and water cannons. The interior ministry projected that 600,000 to 900,000 people would join the nationwide protests. By Thursday noon, around 76,500 had participated, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noting the demonstrations were "less intense than anticipated," AFP reported. Read More | France to deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace, Macron says Why are the protesters angry Protesters disrupted public transport and schools were closed down as they took to the streets. Clashes were also reported with the police. Police in Paris and Marseille used tear gas to disperse protesters. In Lyon, a France TV journalist and a police officer were injured during clashes. In Lille, protesters blocked bus depots. "The aim is to show the government that we're here, that we're fed up with being taxed like crazy," a protester was quoted by AFP. Read More | 'Macron can resign or he will be impeached': French government falls after PM loses confidence vote - What's happening Why people are angry at Macron? Public anger toward President Emmanuel Macron has been building since early 2023, when his government pushed through a deeply unpopular pension reform—raising the retirement age—without a parliamentary vote. This sparked months of protests and unrest. Now, with only 18 months left in office and facing record-low approval ratings, Macron is seen by many as the root cause of the country’s political and social turmoil. Critics like Jean-Luc Mélenchon have openly blamed him for the current chaos, saying his actions have directly led to the unrest. A draft 44-billion-euro ($52-billion) cost-saving budget by the French government has been a major reason that former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faced massive outrage. Now, the new PM Sebastien Lecornu is also facing the same heat. More so as Lecornu is former defence minister and close Macron ally. Authorities fear further escalation, with concerns that violent groups could hijack protests—prompting police to urge central Paris businesses to close during demonstrations. An earlier protest on September 10 fell short of its goal to "block everything," but the latest unrest suggests Macron’s policies continue to inflame tensions nationwide. Read More | French Government Falls After Prime Minister Francois Bayrou Loses Confidence Vote

<p>France saw nationwide protests and strikes on Sep 18 against Macron’s austerity policies. Public transport, schools, and pharmacies were disrupted. Over 76,000 protested by noon, with clashes in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Anger grows over cost-cutting and tax burdens.</p>

'Macron resign': Massive protest in France amid political instability, protesters clash with police - What's happening

<p>France was rocked by widespread unrest on Wednesday (September 10) as thousands took to the streets to express growing discontent with French President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and recently proposed austerity policies. Demonstrators blocked roads, clashed with law enforcement, and set fires in Paris and other major cities, leading to over 200 arrests in the first day of what activists are calling the “Block Everything” movement.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Despite a massive deployment of 80,000 police officers nationwide, protestors managed to set up barricades, ignite trash bins, and bring transport to a near standstill in some regions. In Paris, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds as tensions escalated. In Rennes, a bus was torched, and train services in the southwest were disrupted after a power line was damaged. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the protests, accusing participants of stoking "insurrectionary conditions."</p><h3><strong>Why is people protesting in France?</strong></h3><p>The demonstrations followed a wave of political turmoil sparked by Prime Minister François Bayrou’s resignation earlier in the week. Bayrou, who lost a confidence vote in Parliament on Monday (September 8) after unveiling a controversial cost-cutting plan, stepped down just nine months into his tenure. His proposed reforms — including pension freezes and reducing public holidays — drew immediate backlash from unions and the public alike.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>President Macron responded swiftly, appointing Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister — his fourth in just 12 months — in a move widely seen as an attempt to stabilise his shaky government. However, critics argued the reshuffle failed to address the underlying issues. Opposition leaders accused Macron of being out of touch. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the far-left France Unbowed party, claimed only Macron’s resignation would restore public confidence, while Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally mocked the president’s decision to “stick with a losing team.”</p><h3><strong>What is 'Block Everything' movement as it Gains Momentum?</strong></h3><p>The protest wave is being driven by the decentralized “Bloquons Tout” (Block Everything) movement, which emerged over the summer and gained traction through social media platforms such as TikTok, X, and encrypted chat groups. With no formal leadership structure, the movement has proven difficult to predict — and even harder to contain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Protest organisers have called for a wide array of actions: strikes, roadblocks, consumer boycotts, and coordinated withdrawals from major banks. The movement’s grassroots energy has drawn comparisons to the Yellow Vest uprising of 2018–2019, which similarly began as a reaction to fuel tax hikes before ballooning into a broader revolt against Macron’s administration. Unions say Bayrou’s departure changes nothing. “His resignation is not a victory; it’s just a step,” said a statement from the Sud-Rail union. “The austerity plan is still very much alive.”</p><h3><strong>Travel Disruptions and Growing Chaos</strong></h3><p>Travelers across France faced severe delays and service interruptions. Although national authorities insisted that most metro, tram, and TGV services were running, local disruptions were widespread. The RER B line — which connects Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport — was temporarily down, forcing travelers to find alternative routes. Airline unions staged walkouts, and the civil aviation authority issued travel advisories for airports in Marseille, Nice, Bastia, and Ajaccio, warning of possible cancellations and delays. Though Paris’s public transit system, run by RATP, claimed “normal operations,” unexpected blockades by demonstrators caused delays in several areas. Eurostar maintained its cross-Channel services but urged passengers to plan for extra travel time.</p><h3><strong>Macron Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Fiscal Crisis</strong></h3><p>At the core of the protests is widespread anger over the government’s attempts to slash spending in order to tackle France’s €43 billion budget deficit. The measures — including pension freezes and cuts to welfare programs — have been labeled by critics as deeply unfair and regressive. Many accuse the government of shifting the burden onto working- and middle-class citizens while sparing the wealthy and major corporations. Even with Bayrou gone, protestors believe Macron intends to push forward with the same economic agenda, fueling calls for continued resistance.</p>

Demonstrators blocked roads, clashed with law enforcement, and set fires in Paris and other major cities, leading to over 200 arrests in the first day of what activists are calling the “Block Everything” movement

France was rocked by widespread unrest on Wednesday (September 10) as thousands took to the streets to express growing discontent with French President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and recently proposed austerity policies. Demonstrators blocked roads, clashed with law enforcement, and set fires in Paris and other major cities, leading to over 200 arrests in the first day of what activists are calling the “Block Everything” movement. Despite a massive deployment of 80,000 police officers nationwide, protestors managed to set up barricades, ignite trash bins, and bring transport to a near standstill in some regions. In Paris, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds as tensions escalated. In Rennes, a bus was torched, and train services in the southwest were disrupted after a power line was damaged. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the protests, accusing participants of stoking "insurrectionary conditions." Why is people protesting in France? The demonstrations followed a wave of political turmoil sparked by Prime Minister François Bayrou’s resignation earlier in the week. Bayrou, who lost a confidence vote in Parliament on Monday (September 8) after unveiling a controversial cost-cutting plan, stepped down just nine months into his tenure. His proposed reforms — including pension freezes and reducing public holidays — drew immediate backlash from unions and the public alike. President Macron responded swiftly, appointing Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister — his fourth in just 12 months — in a move widely seen as an attempt to stabilise his shaky government. However, critics argued the reshuffle failed to address the underlying issues. Opposition leaders accused Macron of being out of touch. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the far-left France Unbowed party, claimed only Macron’s resignation would restore public confidence, while Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally mocked the president’s decision to “stick with a losing team.” What is 'Block Everything' movement as it Gains Momentum? The protest wave is being driven by the decentralized “Bloquons Tout” (Block Everything) movement, which emerged over the summer and gained traction through social media platforms such as TikTok, X, and encrypted chat groups. With no formal leadership structure, the movement has proven difficult to predict — and even harder to contain. Protest organisers have called for a wide array of actions: strikes, roadblocks, consumer boycotts, and coordinated withdrawals from major banks. The movement’s grassroots energy has drawn comparisons to the Yellow Vest uprising of 2018–2019, which similarly began as a reaction to fuel tax hikes before ballooning into a broader revolt against Macron’s administration. Unions say Bayrou’s departure changes nothing. “His resignation is not a victory; it’s just a step,” said a statement from the Sud-Rail union. “The austerity plan is still very much alive.” Travel Disruptions and Growing Chaos Travelers across France faced severe delays and service interruptions. Although national authorities insisted that most metro, tram, and TGV services were running, local disruptions were widespread. The RER B line — which connects Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport — was temporarily down, forcing travelers to find alternative routes. Airline unions staged walkouts, and the civil aviation authority issued travel advisories for airports in Marseille, Nice, Bastia, and Ajaccio, warning of possible cancellations and delays. Though Paris’s public transit system, run by RATP, claimed “normal operations,” unexpected blockades by demonstrators caused delays in several areas. Eurostar maintained its cross-Channel services but urged passengers to plan for extra travel time. Macron Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Fiscal Crisis At the core of the protests is widespread anger over the government’s attempts to slash spending in order to tackle France’s €43 billion budget deficit. The measures — including pension freezes and cuts to welfare programs — have been labeled by critics as deeply unfair and regressive. Many accuse the government of shifting the burden onto working- and middle-class citizens while sparing the wealthy and major corporations. Even with Bayrou gone, protestors believe Macron intends to push forward with the same economic agenda, fueling calls for continued resistance.

<p>'Block Everything' movement sparks unrest, transport chaos, and clashes as citizens rally against austerity and political instability</p>

France protests: 'Block everything' movement escalates as public fury over austerity grows; over 200 arrested. Here's all you to need to know

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his state visit to Germany due to growing unrest in the country, following instances of riots, loot and arson. Macron approached the&nbsp;German presidency and asked for a postponement of the 'planned visit'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"French President Macron spoke today by telephone with German President (Frank-Walter) Steinmeier and informed him of the situation in his country," a presidency statement said.</p>

<p>"President Macron asked for a postponement of his planned state visit to Germany," it added, without divulging if a new date had been agreed for the postponed visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The German president regretted the "cancellation" but said he "has full understanding given the situation in our neighbouring country". He hoped that&nbsp;"the violence on the streets will end as soon as possible and that social peace can be restored".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state visit was scheduled to begin on Sunday (July 2) at the invitation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It was supposed to be the first state visit by a French president in 23 years, since Jacques Chirac travelled to Berlin in 2000.</p>

<p>The visit was to take place from July 2 to 4 and according to Steinmeier's office, it was intended&nbsp;"to honour the close friendship of the two countries in the 60th year of the Elysée Treaty" on bilateral relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Macron was supposed to visit "several regions of Germany"&nbsp;in order to "underline the unique ties" between the two countries and its citizens, particularly the youth.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is happening in France?</strong></h2>

<p>France has plunged into anarchy after protests started in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a teen, metamorphosed into countrywide riots.&nbsp;Violent protesters, mostly young, clashed with police and looted luxury stores, putting further pressure on President&nbsp;Macron.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Protests and violence in France as police kills a driver in Nanterre</strong></p>

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<p>According to reports, more than 1,300 people have been arrested in the four days since the protests began. Over 45,000 police officers, including special forces, have been pressed into service to contain the situation, especially in Marseille and Lyon, the two biggest cities in France and the epicentre of violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such has been the situation that French footballer Kylian Mbappe released a statement, condemning the violence and urging protesters to calm down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Violence solves nothing, even less when it inevitably and tirelessly turns against those who express it, their families, loved ones and neighbours," Mbappe&nbsp;said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-protests-hundreds-arrested-as-macron-appeals-for-calm-mbappe-reacts-610727"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;France protests: Hundreds arrested as Macron appeals for calm; Mbappe reacts</strong></a></p>

<p>"It is your property that you are destroying, your neighbourhoods, your council estates, your places of fulfillment and proximity," he wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>“The time of violence must end to make way for that of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his state visit to Germany due to growing unrest in the country, following instances of riots, loot and arson. Macron approached the German presidency and asked for a postponement of the 'planned visit'.

French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his state visit to Germany due to growing unrest in the country, following instances of riots, loot and arson. Macron approached the German presidency and asked for a postponement of the 'planned visit'. "French President Macron spoke today by telephone with German President (Frank-Walter) Steinmeier and informed him of the situation in his country," a presidency statement said. "President Macron asked for a postponement of his planned state visit to Germany," it added, without divulging if a new date had been agreed for the postponed visit. The German president regretted the "cancellation" but said he "has full understanding given the situation in our neighbouring country". He hoped that "the violence on the streets will end as soon as possible and that social peace can be restored". The state visit was scheduled to begin on Sunday (July 2) at the invitation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It was supposed to be the first state visit by a French president in 23 years, since Jacques Chirac travelled to Berlin in 2000. The visit was to take place from July 2 to 4 and according to Steinmeier's office, it was intended "to honour the close friendship of the two countries in the 60th year of the Elysée Treaty" on bilateral relations. Macron was supposed to visit "several regions of Germany" in order to "underline the unique ties" between the two countries and its citizens, particularly the youth. What is happening in France? France has plunged into anarchy after protests started in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a teen, metamorphosed into countrywide riots. Violent protesters, mostly young, clashed with police and looted luxury stores, putting further pressure on President Macron. Watch | Protests and violence in France as police kills a driver in Nanterre × According to reports, more than 1,300 people have been arrested in the four days since the protests began. Over 45,000 police officers, including special forces, have been pressed into service to contain the situation, especially in Marseille and Lyon, the two biggest cities in France and the epicentre of violence. Such has been the situation that French footballer Kylian Mbappe released a statement, condemning the violence and urging protesters to calm down. "Violence solves nothing, even less when it inevitably and tirelessly turns against those who express it, their families, loved ones and neighbours," Mbappe said. Also read | France protests: Hundreds arrested as Macron appeals for calm; Mbappe reacts "It is your property that you are destroying, your neighbourhoods, your council estates, your places of fulfillment and proximity," he wrote on Twitter. “The time of violence must end to make way for that of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Macron postpones state visit to Germany as riots escalate across France

<p>As France saw a third consecutive night of riots on Thursday due to a mounting crisis caused by the fatal shooting of a teenager of Algerian-Moroccan descent by police, videos on social media showed multiple fires and arsons on French streets.</p>

<p>But in the moments of deadly violence, a scene of peace amid chaos was captured which quickly went viral on social media. In a video said to be of Nanterre, the working class French suburb where the teenager, identified as Nahel was shot at, a man can be seen silently eating his sandwich as police clashed with violent protesters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The social media was quick to hail the man as 'legend', and that 'this is another type of bravery'.</p>

<p>"Nothing gets in the way of sandwich time," wrote a social media user.</p>

<p>"I&nbsp;pray to be as unbothered in this life," another wrote. "True definition of unbothered," a third social media user wrote.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Lui il a vraiment pas de problème dans sa vie <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nanterre?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nanterre</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticepourNahel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticepourNahel</a> <a href="https://t.co/yIW7KXlMll">pic.twitter.com/yIW7KXlMll</a></p>
— chedly_92777 (@RapleakTwsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapleakTwsh/status/1674435550621708288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Forty thousand police officers were deployed across France to control the riots but there were few signs of de-escalation.</p>

<p>In Nanterre, protesters torched cars, barricaded streets and hurled objects&nbsp;at police after a peaceful vigil.</p>

<p>Protesters called "Vengeance for Nahel" across buildings. A bank was also set on fire before firefighters put it out and an elite police unit deployed an armoured vehicle.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-officer-who-killed-teenager-in-paris-suburb-apologizes-to-family-of-victim-610310">French police officer who killed teenager in Paris suburb apologises to victim's family</a></strong></p>

<p>In central Paris, a Nike shoe store was broken into, and 14 people were arrested and 16 more were arrested with stolen objects after store windows were smashed along the rue de Rivoli shopping street, Paris police said.</p>

<p>National police said on Thursday night that officers faced new incidents in Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse and Lille, including fires and fireworks.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;French police fatally shot teenager</strong></p>

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<p>In Marseille, France's second city, police fired tear gas grenades during clashes with youths in the tourist hot-spot of Le Vieux Port, the city's main paper La Provence reported.</p>

<p>The 17-year-old's shooting continues to feed into longstanding complaints of systemic racism embedded within French law enforcement agencies. Racially mixed suburbs around major French cities have long accused police of discriminating on the basis of class and race and treating certain groups with crime-related pre-conceived notions.&nbsp;<br />
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As France saw a third consecutive night of riots on Thursday due to a mounting crisis caused by the fatal shooting of a teenager of Algerian-Moroccan descent by police, videos on social media showed multiple fires and arsons on French streets.

As France saw a third consecutive night of riots on Thursday due to a mounting crisis caused by the fatal shooting of a teenager of Algerian-Moroccan descent by police, videos on social media showed multiple fires and arsons on French streets. But in the moments of deadly violence, a scene of peace amid chaos was captured which quickly went viral on social media. In a video said to be of Nanterre, the working class French suburb where the teenager, identified as Nahel was shot at, a man can be seen silently eating his sandwich as police clashed with violent protesters. The social media was quick to hail the man as 'legend', and that 'this is another type of bravery'. "Nothing gets in the way of sandwich time," wrote a social media user. "I pray to be as unbothered in this life," another wrote. "True definition of unbothered," a third social media user wrote. Lui il a vraiment pas de problème dans sa vie #Nanterre #JusticepourNahel pic.twitter.com/yIW7KXlMll — chedly_92777 (@RapleakTwsh) June 29, 2023 × Forty thousand police officers were deployed across France to control the riots but there were few signs of de-escalation. In Nanterre, protesters torched cars, barricaded streets and hurled objects at police after a peaceful vigil. Protesters called "Vengeance for Nahel" across buildings. A bank was also set on fire before firefighters put it out and an elite police unit deployed an armoured vehicle. Also read | French police officer who killed teenager in Paris suburb apologises to victim's family In central Paris, a Nike shoe store was broken into, and 14 people were arrested and 16 more were arrested with stolen objects after store windows were smashed along the rue de Rivoli shopping street, Paris police said. National police said on Thursday night that officers faced new incidents in Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse and Lille, including fires and fireworks. Also watch | French police fatally shot teenager × In Marseille, France's second city, police fired tear gas grenades during clashes with youths in the tourist hot-spot of Le Vieux Port, the city's main paper La Provence reported. The 17-year-old's shooting continues to feed into longstanding complaints of systemic racism embedded within French law enforcement agencies. Racially mixed suburbs around major French cities have long accused police of discriminating on the basis of class and race and treating certain groups with crime-related pre-conceived notions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WATCH | Man continues to eat sandwich as police clash with rioters in Paris suburb