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Yellow vest protests: Dozens arrested in Paris

Saturday, 21st September 2019

Dozens of demonstrators have been arrested in Paris following a resurgence of the yellow vest protests that started last year. Several hundred protesters gathered at different points in the French capital and over 39 were swiftly arrested. A huge security operation was planned amid fears the protesters would clash with a climate change march. By 1.00 pm (11 GMT) police had arrested 106 demonstrators, police headquarters said, adding that some had been found to carry hammers or petrol canisters. The authorities had banned demonstrations in some areas of the city, including tourism hotspot Champs-Elysees, but some protesters violated the ban, leading to a tense standoff with police who used teargas and batons to scatter them. The yellow vest movement erupted 10 months ago and blindsided President Emmanuel Macron, whom protesters accused of being out of touch with the needs of ordinary French people. The protests prompted Macron to introduce reforms including tax cuts and a more decentralised government. 

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