Paris protests: Eiffel Tower reopens as hundreds of activists remain in police custody
Pressure mounts on Emmanuel Macron as Paris recovers from violence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Weary residents in Paris cleaned up their city on Sunday after further 'yellow vest' protests in the French capital.
Anti-government demonstrators marched through the city on Saturday in a show of public anger focused on social inequality and unpopular French president Emmanuel Macron.
Nearly 90,000 police officers were deployed as part of a range measures aimed at containing the chaos, which has disrupted the city for four weekends in a row.
Police officers used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets against some of the protesters and the Interior Ministry said 1,220 people were taken into custody around France.
135 are thought to be injured, including 17 policemen.
Major tourist sights, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, reopened on Sunday morning, as workers cleared debris and broken glass from the streets.
Emmanuel Macron has maintained a low profile during the protests but is now under pressure to discuss the disruption.
A government spokesperson announced on Sunday that Mr Macron would address the nation in the coming week.
His administration has offered some concessions to 'yellow vest' leaders, including the reversal of the fuel tax hike that first triggered the protests.
The activists are now demanding lower taxes, higher minimum wages and better pension benefits.
Many believe that Mr Macron should resign but negotiations are proving difficult as the 'yellow vests' lack a leader.
US President Donald Trump added to the French president's worries by tweeting about the protests on Saturday.
"Maybe it’s time to end the ridiculous and extremely expensive Paris Agreement and return money back to the people in the form of lower taxes?" Mr Trump wrote on Twitter.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, criticised Mr Trump on Sunday.
"I say to Donald Trump and the French president says it too: leave our nation be," the minister said during an interview with LCI television.
Across Paris bank branch offices, toy shops, opticians and other retail outlets were covered with graffiti, much of which attacked Mr Macron.
"This chaos has to end," said Andre Juillard, a doctor, as he stood in line with other Parisians at a bakery near the Eiffel Tower.
"I don't know if Macron's resignation is necessary, but he must completely change course and increase wages and lower taxes," said Bertrand Cruzatier, a local who stood watching cleaners scrub out graffiti at the Place de la Republique.
Protesters had raised a banner In the centre of the famous square.
Hanging from the bronze statue of Marianne, symbol of the French republic, it read: "Give back the money".
Additional reporting by agencies
If you want to read how the protests unfolded live, please see what was our live coverage below
French police deployed heavy armoured vehicles on Saturday, which were filmed rolling through the streets of Paris
Workers in Paris are towing away cars which were burnt by demonstrators during yesterday's protests.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, has criticised Donald Trump for his comments on the yellow vest protests.
"I say to Donald Trump and the French president says it too: leave our nation be," the minister said during an interview with LCI television.
Mr Trump used the protests to attack the Paris climate agreement in two tweets posted on Saturday.
Officials said that around 125,000 people took part in yellow vest protests across France on Saturday.
Read Nabilah Ramdani's piece on the yellow vest movement here:
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments