France imposes targeted curfews after riots, looting and violent protests

French protests turn violent, with widespread looting and clashes between masked thugs and police reported across major cities like Paris. The demonstrations initially began over teacher shortages and poor school conditions, but quickly morphed into broader protests against high living costs and economic inequality. More than 160,000 protesters took to the streets on Tuesday before the situation escalated. By Saturday, more than 200,000 people participated in planned demonstrations across France. In Paris alone, over 40,000 protesters were expected despite bans on rallies around key locations like the Elysée Palace and Champs-Élysées.

French authorities have since imposed targeted curfews in certain areas to control the violence. The BBC was criticized for describing these events as "mostly peaceful" while showing footage of burning cars, ransacked shops, and violent confrontations between protesters and police. Some politicians have blamed France's immigration policies and growing Muslim population for fueling unrest. President Emmanuel Macron called for calm, urging respect for people and property amidst the protests turning into riots.