Protests on Champs Elysees rages through the night

Saturday, 24 November 2018 11:27 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 25 November 2018 2:54 AM ]

A yellow vest protestor looks on as a firefighter walks amongst extinguished burning material near The Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018. (AFP)

Violent protests on the Champs Elysees continued into the evening on Saturday, November 24, after a day in which thousands in yellow high-visibility vests barricaded the famous avenue and clashed with police officers.

A yellow vest protestor throws material onto a fire on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018, during a protest against rising oil prices and living costs. (AFP)

The unauthorized demonstration was in theory organized in opposition to fuel price rises exacerbated by a government green tax which has focused opposition to President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies.

Pedestrians walk amongst extinguished burning material near The Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018, during a rally by yellow vest protestors against rising oil prices and living costs. (AFP)

But it quickly degenerated with protesters dislodging paving slabs to throw at the police who responded with water cannon and tear gas.

By the end of the evening fires were still burning in the middle of the street and the security forces were still trying to gain control, as some more peaceful demonstrators released Chinese lanterns into the air.

Protestors of the yellow vest movement walk past the Arc of Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018 during a protest against rising oil prices and living costs. (AFP)

Around 100,000 protesters took part in demonstrations across the country, with 8,000 in Paris. Last Saturday nearly 300,000 people took part in the first yellow vest demonstrations countrywide.

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